The Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR) recently announced the first 12 projects− totaling nearly $14 million− to be implemented in the Southern Tier through the NY Rising Community Reconstruction (NYRCR) Program—a grassroots undertaking that empowers localities to increase their physical, social and economic resilience following impacts from Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.
The more than $700 million NYRCR program has identified and finalized agreements with 11 municipal entities in the Southern Tier, which will serve as sub-recipients to execute the projects with support from New York State. The signing of the agreements is the first official step in bringing the proposals to fruition—with the State offering additional resources to promote the progress being made.
“As we carry out all of our recovery initiatives, we understand the importance of balancing top-down responses with the informed and passionate ideas that come from bottom-up planning,” said Executive Director of GOSR, Jamie Rubin. “The NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program exemplifies this approach, and gives a voice to those who know their regions best. We are pleased to see the Southern Tier move forward with their first 12 projects, as we continue to make our State better and stronger than before.”
The implementation phase comes after eight months of bottom-up planning—an effort that enabled local residents and community leaders to become actively involved in the recovery and resiliency process and integrate local needs into final NYRCR Plans.
Throughout the State, a total of 66 NYRCR Communities (representing 124 disaster-affected localities) have collectively taken part in Rounds I and II of the NYRCR Program. As part of the initiative, NYRCR Communities are led by local Planning Committees, who work alongside State planners and world-renowned planning firms to develop actionable proposals. The State has allotted awards of up to $3 million and $25 million for the implementation of eligible projects.
More than 650 New Yorkers have represented their communities by serving on NYRCR Committees and have participated in more than 650 Planning Committee Meetings. Committees also held 250 heavily-publicized Public Engagement Events, which attracted thousands of community members that wished to provide feedback on the planning process and project proposals.
GOSR will provide additional resources to facilitate the implementation of NYRCR projects, thereby supplementing the allotment of each NYRCR Community and maximizing State investment. As such, the NYRCR Program will provide sub-recipients with Project Coordinators, who will offer technical assistance to ensure compliance with federal regulations. GOSR will also fund and carry out necessary environmental reviews on all projects, as well as provide staffing support to sub-recipients for NYRCR Program-specific work.
Communities unveiled their final NYRCR Plans to Governor Cuomo at the Spring 2014 NYRCR Conference. In Upstate New York, the State has allotted up to approximately $150 million for the implementation of eligible projects proposed in 42 Upstate NYRCR Plans. Projects will be implemented on a staggered basis, up to the community’s pre-determined allotment. Estimated costs and project scopes are subject to change as project applications are developed.
The first projects to move forward in Tioga County are as follows:
TOWN OF NICHOLS
Highway Garage Relocation
Estimated Cost: $2,500,000
Sub-recipient: Town Of Nichols
Description: The Town of Nichols will construct a new highway garage with NY Rising funds. During Tropical Storm Lee, the town’s garage flooded, causing extensive damage to the facility and its equipment. Additionally, stored fuel, salt and sand were released into the environment. The new garage will be located outside of the floodplain, enabling the town to provide supplies and services and reduce the risk of environmental contamination during and after major storm events.
VILLAGE OF NICHOLS
Levee Study and Improvements
Estimated Cost: $700,000
Sub-recipient: Village Of Nichols
Description: The Village of Nichols will use NY Rising funds to conduct a study of its levee to determine if deficiencies exist, and if so, identify and undertake needed improvements. During Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, floodwaters came within six inches of overtopping the levee that protects the Village of Nichols. As a result of this project, the village will be able to provide data and documentation to FEMA that demonstrate that the levee provides the required level of flood risk reduction needed for protection and FEMA accreditation.
TOWN AND VILLAGE OF OWEGO
Shared Campus for Municipal Services
Estimated Cost: $4,800,000
Sub-recipient: Town Of Owego, in partnership with the Village of Owego
Description: The Town and Village of Owego are working together to design and construct a new Owego shared services campus to house the town’s Department of Public Works, Parks, Utilities and Codes Offices. The existing municipal office buildings flooded during Tropical Storm Lee; the new shared services campus will be built outside of the floodplain.
TOWN OF TIOGA
Halsey Valley Road Elevation
Estimated Cost: $1,900,000
Subrecipient: Town Of Tioga
Description: The Town of Tioga will use NY Rising funds to raise a large section of the south end of Halsey Valley Road so that it is aligned with the elevation of NYS Route 17c, a key evacuation route for the Town. During Tropical Storm Lee, this low-lying section of roadway flooded and cut off access for residents, emergency vehicles, evacuees and other travelers. Raising this portion of the roadway will preserve one of the county’s critical connector roads during storm events.
“Through the NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program, five of Tioga County’s hardest hit municipalities developed a collaborative strategy to recover from 2011 flooding and build resilience against future storm events,” said Martha Sauerbrey, chairwoman of the Tioga County Legislature. “The projects announced today are critically important to protecting our residents and businesses, and will foster economic stability and growth in our communities. On behalf of the Tioga County Legislature, I thank Governor Cuomo for providing the financial resources to undertake these and future projects.”
“Through the Community Reconstruction Program, the Town of Nichols has identified projects and activities that will build long-term resiliency,” said Supervisor Kevin Engelbert. “One of the most important projects to benefit our community is a new highway garage that will enable the town to provide vital services during and after storm events. We look forward to getting started on this exciting project.”
“I am excited that the levee certification project is moving forward,” said Village of Nichols Mayor Lesley Pelotte. “This is a critically-important project for Village residents and businesses. I thank the Governor and his Office of Storm Recovery for recognizing the importance of it and for providing support to the Village to build long term resilience.”
“This project will enable the town to move its highway operations out of the flood plain and has the potential to consolidate other town offices,” said Town of Owego Supervisor Don Castellucci. “This, along with the village moving its Department of Public Works operations to the site, is a win-win for the community.”
“The Village of Owego looks forward to moving its Department of Public Works facility out of the floodplain so that it can be fully operational in the event of a future flood,” said Village of Owego Mayor Kevin Millar.
“The elevation of Halsey Valley Road is a critically important project for the town as it works to provide long term safety for its residents and resiliency against future storm events,” said Lou Zorn, Supervisor of the Town of Tioga. “I appreciate the assistance provided by the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery to help our community.”
