Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Congressman Max Rose (D-NY-11) today announced $13,041,325.24 in federal funding to repair three clubhouses at Lemon Creek Marina on Staten Island. The marina was severely damaged during Superstorm Sandy. One storm surge caused eight feet of flooding, which irreparably destroyed one club house and damaged two others. These federal funds are administered through U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and will be provided to the New York City Office of Management and Budget to restore the clubhouses to their original state and to build protections for the marina from future storm damage.
“Every facet of Staten Island’s shore communities was devastated by Superstorm Sandy, including our marinas, which are centers of an active and critical boating community. These federal funds will rebuild and fortify a key community establishment, the Lemon Creek Marina, to once again be an asset that provides access to the New York Bay for the whole community,” said Senator Schumer. “These funds will help make Lemon Creek Marina’s infrastructure stronger than before and provides a vital space for boating and fishing for Staten Island’s wonderful community.”
“For years, New Yorkers have been working hard to recover from the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Just days after the storm, I visited Staten Island and saw this damage first hand. Lemon Creek Marina was severely damaged by this storm, and I’m proud to announce this new federal funding to help repair the marina’s clubhouses and build new reinforcements. This will help protect Lemon Creek Marina against future storm damage, and I will always fight to secure the federal funds that our communities need to fully rebuild after Superstorm Sandy.”
“The Lemon Creek Marina is a staple of our Staten Island community that has provided affordable access to the water we live on to so many hard working families for generations. This support is necessary to rebuild and reopen the Marina and I’m glad to see that after far too long, we’re finally moving ahead. After personally touring the site with the Princess Bay Boatmen’s Association, and pushing FEMA to expedite funding, this announcement is a huge day—but I’ll continue pushing all levels of government to ensure the funding arrives quickly and construction can begin as soon as possible,” said Congressman Rose.
Flooding from Superstorm Sandy damaged three club houses and the exterior of Lemon Creek Marina. One of the clubhouses was destroyed and required replacement, and the other two sustained damage to the floors, ceilings, walls, insulation, windows, kitchens, bathrooms, electrical wiring, and lighting. This federal funding will be used to restore the clubhouses to pre-storm design and capacity. In addition, the funding will be used to implement a hazard mitigation plan, which will include the installation of a stone gravity jetty, a pitched concrete slab to drain and reduce the accumulation of water behind the bulkhead, and hardening and stabilization of the replacement bulkhead through steel reinforcements.
FEMA provided this funding through its Public Assistance Grant Program (PA), which provides grants to government organizations and private nonprofit organizations after an official major disaster declaration. The purpose of PA is to help communities recover from and respond to disasters and emergencies quickly. The PA for this project is authorized under Section 428 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.