July 1, 2014

NEW HAVEN DELEGATION ANNOUNCES SUPPORT TO PREPARE
NEW HAVEN FOR THE NEXT SUPERSTORM
Over $3.3 million allocated to New Haven for Multifamily Housing, Public Facilities,
Infrastructure And Planning As A Result Of SuperStorm Sandy Damage

The New Haven Legislative Delegation and Governor Dannel P. Malloy, joined by state Department of Housing (DOH) Commissioner Evonne M. Klein, today announced nearly $32 million in grants for improvements to multifamily housing, infrastructure and public facilities and for planning purposes in cities and towns affected by Superstorm Sandy.

Front St. in New Haven following Superstorm Sandy (Credit: WTNH - Christine Diaz).

“Recent storms and the damage they caused have proven that Connecticut is susceptible to severe weather in any season,” Sen. Looney said. “The so-called ‘superstorm’ is becoming a norm here in the northeast, and we need to prepare for this by strengthening our infrastructure to the highest possible standards. These federal grants will allow the City of New Haven to take a step forward by ensuring that our communities are sufficiently prepared for New England’s new weather patterns. I want to thank the Governor, Commissioner Klein and all those who collaborated to help best prepare our state for the future.”

“Given that extreme weather events like Sandy that were considered once in a century events have now become annual occurrences, it’s not a matter of if, but when that next storm will hit Connecticut’s shoreline communities,” said Governor Malloy. “With these grants, we are not only helping these communities overcome the devastating impacts of one of the most severe storms in Connecticut’s history, but we’re also helping them to establish resiliency plans so they can be better prepared for future storms.”

“Over 75% of the homeowners eligible for funding to repair from the storm have started the process of rebuilding weather resistant,” said Sen. Holder-Winfield (D-New Haven). “The past few seasons have reminded residents that New England can bring unpredictable weather with serve consequences. These grants will help the state and New Haven best prepare for the next storm.”

“These grants allow us to repair vulnerable coastal areas while also being smarter about how we use coastal lands. Planning analysis in the Mill River area will provide us with an opportunity to encourage economic development, grow jobs, and protect, reuse, and redevelop vital land within our city,” said State Representative Roland J. Lemar (D - New Haven, East Haven).

“I am grateful for the allocation of funds towards protecting some of the most venerable homes Located in Morris Cove. We are helping homeowners stay in the place they most adore while protecting their assets. An asset, which through no fault of their own was at risk,” said Rep. Robert Megna (D - New Haven).

“As we continue to recover from the devastation left by Superstorm Sandy, these grants will surely make a difference in the rebuilding efforts we are going through,” Rep. Juan Candelaria said.

“Planning and prevention are necessary to prevent future storms from damaging homes and infrastructure. I am thankful to the Governor and the Department of Housing for making funding available for these studies of New Haven's storm readiness,” said Rep. Robyn Porter (D - New Haven, Hamden).

Last year the state was awarded $71.8 million through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG–DR) program. The CDBG-DR funding was distributed by the state DOH to help the most impacted and distressed areas recover from Sandy.

Governor Malloy also announced that the individual homeowners who have applied for funding through the CDBG-DR program are currently in the pre-construction phase.

“This funding announced today totals $31,139,954 and will help communities rebuild multifamily housing developments, make important infrastructure improvements, and restore public facilities damaged by severe storms that have ravaged our coastline in the last two years,” said Klein. “Just as important, however, is the funding that we’ve awarded to municipalities in the planning stages. These are the critical first steps to help these communities better understand their risks and implement mitigation measures that will avoid the calamitous effects of these storms.”

Of the 332 homeowners deemed eligible for funding to repair damaged homes over 250 are working with architects and engineers to develop their construction documents. DOH expects construction to begin on several projects in July. The CDBG-DR award recipients in New Haven are as follows:

• New Haven, Brewery Square Bulkhead Rehabilitation, Infrastructure Award — $940,047
  The Brewery Square Bulkhead rehabilitation infrastructure project aims to rebuild the 300 feet of bulkhead and sidewalk destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. The project will provide protection to adjoining park land and a parking lot used by residents of the adjacent Brewery Square Condominium Complex; prevent future erosion into the Ferry Street Drawbridge Channel; and protect the very busy river channel.

• New Haven, East Shore Erosion Control, Infrastructure Award — $952,581
  The East Shore Erosion Control Protection Project aims to provide protection to 10 homes and the low-lying residential area across Townsend Avenue, a state-owned roadway, by constructing a seawall to protect an area damaged by both Hurricane Irene and Sandy.

• New Haven, Bulkhead Engineering and Design, Planning Award — $342,000
  The goal of this study is to complete the design and permitting for the River Street Bulkhead. Flooding in this area has made it impassable during storms and surges. The plan is to create a pedestrian riverfront walkway that will also provide protection to the inland industrial, commercial and residential areas; stabilize the shoreline; and reduce the possibility of contaminants being washed into the Quinnipiac River and Long Island Sound.

• New Haven, Hill Neighborhood & Union Ave. Drainage Improvements, Planning Award — $500,000
  This project will study the feasibility of the construction of a new outlet, pump station and/or alternative system improvements to supplement existing outfalls and to increase protection for storm events. The study will include consideration of the development of an effective low-impact solution. The grant will provide for consideration of a series of options/alternatives, engineering and construction costs; advantages and disadvantages and identify next steps for permitting and construction in an area that experiences frequent flooding by the train station and a nearby public housing development.

• New Haven, Long Wharf Flood Protection, Planning Award — $400,000
  This grant will provide for planning, designing and permitting for flood mitigation and shoreline protection measures for the areas northwest of Long Wharf Drive to Union Avenue, where there is frequent flooding due to openings connecting Long Wharf Drive to Canal Dock Drive.

• New Haven, Mill River Shoreline Analysis/Coastal Zone Management, Planning Award — $191,250
  This study will make it possible to analyze three potential flood mitigation strategies and decide which will be the most effective. The study will collect and analyze data; prepare a cost/benefit analysis and select an implementation strategy for an area where New Haven anticipates expanding its commercial and industrial base and creating a stronger connection between the Fair Haven, Wooster Square and Jocelyn Square neighborhoods.