Funding secured for start of Sea Gate bulkhead project

One small step for Sea Gate.

Officials announced on Monday, July 20 that $100,000 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding has been secured for the first phase of Sea Gate’s proposed bulkhead project which seeks to safeguard the structural integrity of the bulkhead and sea wall that once protected the shorefront neighborhood’s homes and buildings from storm surge and flooding, but were severely damaged by Superstorm Sandy.

The first phase of the project – funded through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program – consists of engineering, design and analysis with funds also going towards surveying, permits and application fees. Phase two will include construction costs.

Money was secured through FEMA with what officials called a push from United States Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand as well as Congressmember Hakeem Jeffries.

“This project is instrumental in further protecting the shoreline of Sea Gate, which was badly damaged as a result of Superstorm Sandy,” said Schumer. “This federal investment will help make sure this bulkhead project gets off the ground soon so that these communities are better protected in the event of a future storm.”

“Superstorm Sandy decimated many of the beach communities throughout the district I represent, including Sea Gate,” added Jeffries, who represents parts of Brooklyn and Queens. “This grant of $100,000 in FEMA funding will play an instrumental role in protecting our shores in the Sea Gate community from the devastating effects of any future storms.”

All in all, the spruce-up will serve roughly 1,177 linear feet between Beach 48th Street and Beach 50th Street in Sea Gate, and will be made up of large timber and pile wall with interlocking heavy vinyl sheeting.

The project is expected to cost close to $3 million.

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