FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 18-7
February 2, 2018
DEP (718) 595-6600; DDC (718) 391-1589

City Begins $35 Million Project to Improve Drainage and Enhance Jack’s Pond in Great Kills

New Catch Basins and Storm Sewers will help to Alleviate Roadway Flooding

A Map of the Project Area and Photos of the Work are Available on DEP’s Flickr Page

The New York City Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Design and Construction (DDC) today announced that work is underway on a $35 million project to improve drainage and enhance Jack’s Pond in the South Shore’s Great Kills neighborhood. The infrastructure upgrade will include the construction of 90 catch basins and more than a mile of new storm sewers that will collect stormwater and direct it to an enhanced Jack’s Pond, where it will be naturally filtered to protect the environment. In addition, more than two miles of new sanitary sewers will allow approximately 51 homes to connect to the City sewer system and discontinue the use of septic tanks. The project, which is anticipated to be completed in 2020, is being funded by DEP and the construction is being managed by DDC.

“This $35 million investment in Great Kills will enhance Jack’s Pond and utilize it to better manage stormwater and reduce localized flooding,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “We thank DDC for helping to ensure we preserve the natural beauty of the area while also extending the sewer system to 51 homes in the area, which will allow them to discontinue the use of septic tanks.”

“We’re proud to kick off this project with our partners at DEP in support of Mayor de Blasio’s vision for a more resilient New York City,” said DDC Acting Commissioner Ana Barrio. “Our continued efforts to improve the infrastructure in Staten Island, with the help of natural wetlands, is beneficial to both the residents and the environment alike.”

“We know from experience the positive effects of the Bluebelt Program on our communities, so I am happy to see a similar project taking place at Jack’s Pond. Additionally, the installation of storm sewers and catch basins will mitigate many of the flooding issues currently plaguing residents in Great Kills. I look forward to seeing the completion of this important upgrade to our infrastructure,” said Borough President James Oddo.

“Using best practices in stormwater retention, the Jack’s Pond sewer project will improve the infrastructure of the surrounding community. I’ve had numerous discussions over the years with DEP regarding my concerns with the maintenance of Jack’s Pond and I am grateful that DEP and DDC are keenly focused on the future of this beautiful area. The enhanced Jack’s Pond is a win for the Great Kills community,” said State Senator Andrew Lanza.

“I’ve lived a few blocks away from Jack’s Pond the majority of my life and as a kid used to go there often to watch turtles. I’ve spoken often about the need for the city to upgrade our aging infrastructure and am glad to see these improvements being made to deal with stormwater and protect the pond and its surrounding neighborhood,” said Assembly Member Nicole Malliotakis.

“I’m excited for Great Kills. The more than 8,000 feet of new storm sewers and almost 100 new catch basins are going to really help a lot of homeowners in Great Kills who have been dealing with water pooling and flooding for years,” said Council Member Joseph Borelli. “The enhancements to Jack’s Pond are critical for storm runoff management, and the design inspiration for Jack’s Pond came from our own South Shore Bluebelts, which are incredibly effective at managing water.”

The installation of 8,390 linear feet of new storm sewers and 90 catch basins will help to better manage the precipitation that falls in the area and reduce localized flooding. In addition, 12,595 linear feet of new sanitary sewers will allow 51 homes to connect to the City’s sewer system and discontinue the use of septic tanks. Construction will take place along portions of Ramble Road, Dent Road, Hillside Terrace, Cleveland Avenue, Brown Avenue, Nelson Avenue, Amboy Road, Adrienne Place, Locust Place, Rustic Place, Grandview Terrace, Clovis Road and Monticello Terrace.

While the roadways are open to add the new sewers, the City will also upgrade the water supply delivery system by replacing the old cast iron water mains with 11,820 linear feet of new ductile iron mains. Upgrading the distribution water main network will help to ensure a reliable supply of high quality drinking water for area residents for decades to come. In addition, 48 new fire hydrants will be installed to ensure that firefighters have ready access to the City’s water supply.

The project will also include work to enhance Jack’s Pond in order to store and convey the stormwater, similar to Bluebelts the City has built across the south shore. Crews will also enhance wetlands and stream channels that will slow the flow of stormwater, reduce erosion and allow pollutants to settle out. Work will also include the deepening of Jack’s Pond to increase storage capacity.

The award-winning Bluebelt program preserves natural drainage corridors such as streams and ponds, and optimizes them to help control and filter stormwater before it empties into New York Harbor. Over the last ten years, DEP has built Bluebelts for approximately one third of Staten Island’s land area. This summer, DEP completed the $15 million construction of a new Bluebelt near Richard Avenue in Pleasant Plains, as well as the $48 million expansion of the Sweet Brook Bluebelt near Sheldon Avenue in Woodrow. In the South Richmond and mid-Island areas, the City has purchased approximately 400 acres of wetland property for Bluebelts that provide drainage for 19 watersheds, covering about 14,000 acres. The Bluebelts also provide important open spaces and serve as a habitat for diverse wildlife.

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high quality drinking water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8.5 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP has nearly 6,000 employees, including almost 1,000 in the upstate watershed. In addition, DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $18.9 billion in investments over the next 10 years that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor de Blasio’s lenses of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, new or upgraded roadways, sewers, water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $15 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative, and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to city projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.