Coney Island’s Steeplechase Pier receives $3.4 million in FEMA funding

Coney is ready for its close-up.

Coney Island’s Steeplechase Pier will be getting a much-needed post-Sandy makeover thanks to $3.4 million in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), announced Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressmember Hakeem Jeffries on Tuesday, April 28.

The agency awarded the funds to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYCDPR) for repairs to the pier’s light poles, benches, shade structures and wood decking.

“The iconic Steeplechase Pier in Coney Island was unfortunately damaged during Superstorm Sandy and was under construction for nearly one whole year,” said Schumer. “This federal funding makes sure that local taxpayers are not entirely on the hook for repairing the iconic Steeplechase Pier, but instead get to enjoy it for many years to come.”

“I am pleased Coney Island will get this federal funding to help cover the cost of repairing Steeplechase Pier,” added Gillibrand. “Superstorm Sandy devastated our communities, and this critical FEMA funding will help provide much needed resources on the ground to help rebuild as recovery efforts continue.”

Steeplechase Pier is one of the only remaining structures from Steeplechase Park – the beloved amusement park that opened up in Coney Island in 1897 and closed in 1964 – along with the landmarked Parachute Jump. The pier was somewhat rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy and re-opened for public use in October of 2013, less than one year after it was ravaged by the storm.

“The Steeplechase Pier is an iconic part of the Coney Island community,” said Jeffries. “We are proud to deliver this federal grant, which will be used to repair the pier and protect it from storms that may occur in the future.”

According to Schumer’s office, the total amount being allocated for the repairs is $3,416,360. The work will include reinforced concrete joints, wood decking to be removed and reset with recycled plastic lumber on the beginning stretch and wings, new light poles, viewing platforms, benches and shade structures.

The Coney Island community has received other FEMA grants since the 2012 storm.

Mayor Bill de Blasio along with Schumer announced $1.6 billion in funds in November of 2014 to aid public hospitals that were affected by Sandy, most of which ($923 million) went to Coney Island Hospital for repairs to its basement, first floor and electrical systems.

A total of $3 billion in FEMA funding was also awarded to 200 NYCHA buildings across New York City in March, including 33 developments in Brooklyn that will see repairs to mechanical, electrical and architectural issues as well as resiliency measures to protect the buildings from future storms. The work is slated to begin this summer in Coney Island.