Malliotakis, Staten Island Elected Officials Commemorate 12th Anniversary of Hurricane Sandy

(STATEN ISLAND, NY) - Today, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was joined bipartisan group of Staten Island elected officials, representatives of the U.S. Army Corps, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP), and New York City Parks to commemorate the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy and deliver progress updates regarding the first phase of Staten Island's East Shore Seawall project. 

The $132 million contract for the first phase, which focuses on the SSSI Drainage Area E, is one of several key components of the overall project. This contract includes the construction of large interior drainage ponds (detention basins) connected by an open-channel culvert, along with various stormwater drainage structures, such as box culverts, junction chambers, sluice gates, weir chambers, flap gates, inlets for future stormwater systems and the relocation of existing sanitary sewers.

The overall Seawall project alignment includes 3,400 feet of earthen levee, 2,100 feet of floodwall, and 22,700 feet of buried seawall between Fort Wadsworth and Oakwood Beach.

After working closely with the Army Corps, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, NYCDEP, New York City Parks and community groups, the officials put an end to endless redesign requests. Malliotakis also had legislative language included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 to establish a 90/10 federal cost share, and collaborated with the National Parks Service and Army Corps to solidify a plan to clean up hazardous waste in Great Kills. The contract for the first phase of the overall project has been finalized, and final preparations are underway for onsite construction.

"As we commemorate Sandy’s 12th anniversary and remember the 24 Staten Islanders we tragically lost, I stand here with colleagues who represent all levels of government to reassure the community that we continue to make progress in building a more resilient Staten Island and have completed all the necessary steps so the first phase can begin imminently,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. “We’ve passed legislation so the federal government to cover 90% of the cost share relieving local taxpayers and enabled the Army Corps to expedite the project. Land acquisition is complete, the first contract has been issued and the contractors are on the ground beginning their work. Our main priority continues to be protecting our community and ensuring that lessons learned from Sandy guide our approach to future emergency preparedness.”

“As we commemorate the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, I am pleased to announce the start of construction for the South Shore of Staten Island Coastal Storm Risk Management Project’s Area E. This critical project marks a significant step in protecting Staten Island’s communities from future storms and flooding. After years of hard work, collaboration, and persistence, we are finally moving forward again on the long-awaited seawall. Together, we are delivering the protection that Staten Island deserves, ensuring that families and businesses will be more resilient against the devastating effects of climate change,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. 

“We always must learn from our history and today we stand here and we will rebuild and we are rebuilding and we are rebuilding stronger. As a representative of the New York City Parks Department, we are very grateful that in our borough of parks we recognize the importance of our waterfront, our South Beach boardwalk, and our beachfront properties that will all be and are being included in this project moving forward,” said Staten Island NYC Parks Commissioner Lynda Ricciardone.

"I’d like to thank Congresswoman Malliotakis for inviting us here today to speak. I also want to acknowledge our U.S. Senators Gillibrand and Schumer for their support, and to recognize our non federal partners in New York State and New York City. It is not a cliche to say that this truly is a joint effort that cannot succeed without the support of all levels of government between the Corps of Engineers and the Park Service and then the state and the city. I’m happy the Congresswoman acknowledged that Sandy is in essence, a tragedy and we are here to continue on with the recovery work for not only Staten Island but for the entire region. That’s what motivates us, that’s what maintains our sense of urgency to fully complete these projects so that they can provide the benefits and reduce the risks to these still vulnerable communities in these areas. I just want to thank again all of our partners, we will continue to push forward as quickly as we can to start construction with these projects and to them into the ground," said Program Manager Anthony Ciorra, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District.

“The East Shore Seawall project is a vital investment in our community's future. It is specifically designed to safeguard us against the increasing threats posed by climate change and severe weather events that we know will persist. It represents our ongoing commitment to investing in infrastructure that not only protects us today but also prepares us for the challenges of tomorrow. We thank Congresswoman Malliotakis for bringing us together and getting us to this point in this project. As we move forward, it’s essential that we continue to work together and support the subsequent phases of the East Shore Seawall project,” said New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton.

“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t drive by Father Capodanno Blvd and think about how we need to revitalize this area. We need to bring more life to this area and a necessary step is the Seawall Project. I am looking forward to the construction of this project and I think that it will be a game changer. I want to thank Congresswoman Malliotakis for leading the charge and ensuring this project gets done,” said Assemblyman Michael Tannousis.

“There are some kids that weren’t even born when Hurricane Sandy hit. They’re 12 years old now. They’re in middle school. So, what does this signify to them? This signifies that we're one Staten Island. We come together as a community, and we will remember forever because we don’t want to have a repeat of what happened on that tragic day," said Assemblyman Michael Reilly. 

"Today, as Staten Islanders pause to remember the tragedy of Hurricane Sandy twelve years ago, they can breathe a sigh of relief that construction of the long-awaited East Shore Seawall is soon to be underway. I would like to thank Congresswoman Malliotakis for her incredible leadership in getting this CRITICAL project back on track, as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and NYC Parks for their work to make Staten Island’s infrastructure more resilient, especially in the face of natural disasters," said Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo.

“To stand here with our Congresswoman and colleagues in government on this very important announcement it’s a big deal Congresswoman, and I am very thankful and appreciate of your leadership for making this happen,” said Assemblyman Charles Fall.

"After years of careful planning by every level of government, we are soon going to see the start of a critical piece of our borough’s future infrastructure. The work on these drainage sites is a necessary and important phase of the greater sea wall project, and I commend Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis for her leadership over the years to see this finally start to become a reality. As elected officials representing the East Shore, we will continue to push to get this done," said Councilmember David Carr.

“This East Shore Seawall project is a crucial investment in our community’s safety, addressing the growing risks of severe storms and climate change. With the support of Congresswoman Malliotakis, Senator Schumer, and our government partners, we’re taking important steps to help protect families and build a more resilient Staten Island," said Councilmember Kamillah Hanks.

“This project will be the first of many to make our Island more resilient against future storms. I thank Congresswoman Malliotakis for working with all the agencies involved to get this project funded and moving,” said Councilmember Joe Borelli

"We are very fortunate to be represented by such good people, including Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, whom we have worked closely with and who has put so much into seeing this project come to fruition. This project has been a long time in the planning, and we are pleased that is finally beginning. It will stretch from South Beach to Great Kills Harbor. We have to recognize the fact that we are coastal town. We are subject to the changes in ocean heights and the change in weather. Already in our area, some towns in New Jersey, including Seabright have built protective sea walls. There is a sea wall being built in Manhattan below the Brooklyn Bridge. This is the world that we have to adapt to. We’re very happy to see the project start and it has to start with increased drainage. The Army Corps of Engineers have done a beautiful job designing the project in close coordination with NYC DEP and the NYC Parks Department. We are very happy that this project is starting and it will be a great project for the people of Staten Island," said Vince MacDermot, Architect and Director of Land Use for Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella.