NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE LAURA CURRAN AND GOVERNORS OFFICE OF STORM RECOVERY BREAK GROUND ON DOWNTOWN ISLAND PARK REVITALIZATION AND FLOOD PREVENTION PROJECT
(ISLAND PARK, NY) October 25th, 2021 – Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and officials from the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery announced the start of an innovative hybrid downtown revitalization and flood prevention project on the 9th anniversary week of Superstorm Sandy.
“We are constantly striving to improve downtowns and enhance safety in low-lying areas of the County,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “This project accomplishes both. We’re thankful to Governor Kathy Hochul and the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery for providing the County with the needed resources for this critical project and for our partners in the Village of Island Park.”
Downtown revitalization and storm mitigation efforts will include approximately $1.3 million in improved pedestrian walkways and traffic calming devices, such as curb extensions, ADA compliant sidewalk ramps and aprons, as well as mid-block crosswalks, planters and road resurfacing along Long Beach Road in downtown Island Park. Drainage mitigation will include a mix of conventional and green infrastructure, including new catch basins and several environmentally friendly rain gardens to absorb and treat collect stormwater before reaching local waterways. The hybrid revitalization/storm mitigation project is scheduled to be complete by next year.
“These flood mitigation projects are essential to protect the Village of Island Park from the threat of future storms,” said New York State Senator Todd Kaminsky. “9 years after Superstorm Sandy, it is essential that we redouble our efforts to fortify and protect communities and I am thrilled that this project is finally coming to fruition.”
“Eileen Méus, Deputy Executive Director for the NY Rising Community Reconstruction and Infrastructure Programs at the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, said, "The Island Park transit-oriented development project will improve critical infrastructure and add flooding prevention measures to improve resiliency. GOSR is proud to partner with Nassau County and other local stakeholders on this grassroots-driven project that will ensure our communities are rebuilt stronger."
The Village of Island Park suffered immense damage during Superstorm Sandy. 1,100 homes in Island Park were damaged by flooding and only 44 were spared. Roads continue to flood in the village during major storms, making them impassable for residents and hard to traverse for first responders.
Other storm mitigation projects that Nassau County and the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery recently broke ground on include:
- Bay Park/ East Rockaway Drainage Improvements – Reconstruction of the drainage system on Lawson Avenue, including numerous streets between Davis and Lawrence Street and three separate systems located off Lawson Avenue, Adams Street and North Boulevard. Improvements include increasing the size of pipes, installing additional drainage structures and new-in line check valves to prevent tidal surcharge.
- Cedarhurst Pump Station – Construction of a new stormwater pumping station, installation of tidal check valves and storm drain piping to and from the pump station. A new emergency generator will also be provided to operate the pump station upon the loss of power. The station is designed to protect portions of Peninsula Boulevard – a main artery and major emergency evacuation route for the entire Five Towns Community – from flooding.
- Lawrence Pipe Improvements – Installing check valves and increasing the diameter of pipes along Meadow Ln, Marbridge Rd., Causeway Rd., North Rd., and Barrett Rd. to remediate flooding at intersections. Additional drains will also be constructed along the rear of Harrison Street on the Lawrence golf course.
- Lido Beach/Point Lookout Drainage Improvements – Mitigates tidal flooding and increases coastal resiliency by installing in-line check valves associated with 5 stormwater drainage outfalls. New drainage structures along Lido Boulevard will be constructed to collect and dispose of excess runoff along the curb line.
- Silver Lake/ Baldwin Drainage Improvements – Construction includes elevated bulkheading around Silver Lake, self-regulating tidal flood gates to regulate water flow and prevent tidal surges from entering and inundating the surrounding area, along with an elevated pathway around the lake and a fish ladder to enhance ecological conditions for aquatic life.