“From coastal resiliency and sustainable green practices to the preservation of affordable housing, world-class public art, and vibrant, year-round programming in award-winning public spaces, Battery Park City leads the way in many of the measures that makes cities livable."
Nine years ago today Superstorm Sandy ravaged New York City. According to New York City’s Lower Manhattan Climate Resilience Study, coastal flooding from the storm affected nearly 400 buildings, including over 21,000 homes, and caused significant damage to transportation assets, power supply, open space, and water and sewer infrastructure in Lower Manhattan. Tragically, the lives of 44 New Yorkers were also lost, along with thousands of jobs in Lower Manhattan alone due to the storm’s direct, indirect, and induced impacts.
Battery Park City itself sustained millions of dollars in damage – to Pier A on its southern end, as well as to the BPC Ball Fields and Community Center in the northern neighborhood as storm surge waters poured in from West Street. On its west side, the BPC Esplanade and public parks were inundated as well.
The Authority worked hard to restore these areas in aftermath of the storm, taking quick action to do so while also undertaking additional flood-proofing measures:
• The historic Pier A structure was repaired and renovated incorporating a number of resiliency measures, including use of marine-grade lumber and raising of electrical equipment.
• The BPC Ball Fields were repaired and renovated, including a new surface with heavier, more resilient turf material less prone to lifting when flooded; the fields’ electrical equipment was also relocated above the flood zone. They re-opened for public use in spring 2013, in time for the next post-storm sports season.
• The electrical infrastructure that powers the NYC Police Memorial and portion of the southern neighborhood was elevated.
• Street lights were upgraded to be water resistant
In the years since, informed by its comprehensive Resiliency Assessment and consultation with community, City, and State partners at dozens of public meetings and feedback sessions, BPCA has also initiated and advanced design and construction work on a suite of interrelated resiliency infrastructure projects intended to protect Battery Park City’s 92 acres from storm surge, flooding, and sea level rise.
As described below, the three resiliency initiatives now underway will create an integrated coastal flood risk management system incorporating approximate design flood elevations ranging from 15 to 21 feet. These projects will play a large part in protecting lower Manhattan from future climate events as part of New York City’s overall Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Project.
BPC Ball Fields & Community Center Resiliency Project
Work is now nearing completion on the first of these initiatives. Begun in May of this year, the BPC Ball Fields and Community Center Resiliency Project entails construction of an approximately 800-linear foot flood protection system along the northern, eastern, and southern boundaries of the BPC Ball Fields (Warren Street, West Street/South Route 9A, and Murray Street, respectively). The project will protect the 80,000 square foot playing surface – used by some 50,000 local youth annually – and adjacent community center for up to 10 years.
Developed in close consultation with local stakeholders, this system will remain in place until BPCA’s permanent resiliency measures on the north, west, and south of the neighborhood are completed by the middle of the decade. Permanent storm water drainage improvements are incorporated into this project.
South Battery Park City Resiliency Project
The South Battery Park City Resiliency Project (SBPCR) contemplates creation of a continuous flood barrier from the Museum of Jewish Heritage, through Wagner Park, across Pier A Plaza, and along the northern border of the Historic Battery. With support work beginning in 2020, this integrated coastal flood risk management system will decrease vulnerability from storm inundation and flooding on BPC’s southern end.
BPCA is now at work preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) for SBPCR, with a draft EIS expected to be out for public review and public hearing early next year.
The North/West Battery Park City Resiliency Project (N/WBPCR) will extend approximately 1.3 miles. The North BPC section of this project will span BPC’s North Esplanade, entail a deployable barrier crossing West Street/Route 9A, and extend into western Tribeca. This area represents one of BPC’s (and Lower Manhattan’s) most vulnerable points for storm surge inundation and flooding. The West BPC section of this project will be accomplished by leveraging existing infrastructure – including garden/park walls – to the greatest extent possible in order to create a new line of flood protection along the waterfront, with the capability of connecting to SBPCR Project upon completion.
Review the latest presentation about N/WBPCR and watch the video here.
Stretching from western Tribeca, across the West Side Highway, down roughly two miles of Battery Park City waterfront, and across the Historic Battery, BPCA’s resiliency projects represent an historic investment in protecting against storm surge and sea level rise, and figure prominently in executing the BPC Sustainability Plan. As we mark this year’s solemn anniversary – and in the face of even larger and more intense climate events – this work has never been more important.
Miss any updates on our BPC Resiliency Projects this year? Check them out here:
BPC Ball Fields & Community Center Resiliency Project
