(Rosedale, NY – March 4, 2020) The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced today that a $12 million project is near completion in Rosedale, Queens to improve street conditions, alleviate flooding and upgrade infrastructure. The project, which will be completed in spring 2020, one season ahead of schedule and $1.36 million below the original budget, is funded by DEP and managed by DDC. 

The project is part of a $1.9 billion investment by the de Blasio Administration to build a comprehensive drainage system and alleviate flooding in neighborhoods throughout southeast Queens. The program, the largest of its kind, consists of 43 projects. 

“Investing $1.9 billion to upgrade drainage in southeast Queens means there are shovels in the ground in many neighborhoods and we are pleased to report that we have completed our work in Rosedale one season ahead of schedule,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “Thank you to our partners at DDC for bringing this project in ahead of schedule and under budget.”

“There have been several recent projects to upgrade infrastructure in Rosedale, and we thank the community for their cooperation as the City works to alleviate flooding and improve streets in the neighborhood,” said DDC Commissioner Lorraine Grillo. “The Southeast Queens Initiative is the largest investment of its kind by the City, and represents a major commitment to an area that has been historically underserved.”

“Rosedale residents have long dealt with chronic flooding on roadways and in their homes,” said State Senator Leroy Comrie. “I commend Mayor de Blasio and Commissioners Grillo and Sapienza for not only making significant investments in infrastructure improvements in Rosedale, but also for getting the work done early. These enhancements will result in a higher quality of life for local residents.”

“This is a significant investment in our borough’s future that will strongly benefit the health, safety and property of the families of Rosedale,” said Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee. “This comprehensive $12 million capital project underscores the City’s commitment to alleviating chronic flooding and improving street conditions in southeast Queens.”

“With every infrastructure project completed, Southeast Queens gets closer to finally having the proper investment to address systemic flooding issues caused by the severe lack of stormwater infrastructure,” said Council Member Donovan Richards. “As part of the $1.9 billion project to improve street and flooding conditions throughout Southeast Queens, this $12 million project will provide long overdue relief to 27 blocks in Rosedale by improving street conditions, alleviating flooding and upgrading infrastructure. I’d like to thank Mayor de Blasio and Commissioners Sapienza and Grillo for their continued progress on this historic investment for our residents.”

“I am so pleased with the cooperative efforts of our community, it’s leaders and our City agencies who have aided in the betterment of our Rosedale area,” said Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman. “With $12 million invested in infrastructure upgrades, less flooding and better street conditions we are continuing to build a better quality of life for the area. Thank you to DDC and DEP for their hard work seeing this to completion.”

Work occurred on 27 individual blocks. Nearly one mile (5,265 feet) of new storm sewers and 115 feet of new combined sewers were added. An additional 2,050 feet of combined sewers were replaced over the length of the project to expand and upgrade drainage capacity. To better capture stormwater and direct it to the new storm sewers, 10 new catch basins were installed and 39 catch basins were replaced. 

To improve the long-term reliability of water delivery system, 425 feet of water mains were replaced. For increased access to the sewers and water mains, 57 new manholes were added and 22 manholes were replaced. Three accessways were newly installed on Brookville Boulevard in Conselyea Park and an accessway on Lakeview Blvd in Baisley Pond Park was extended to give DEP better access to maintain the outfalls.

As part of the final street restoration, which will be completed in spring 2020 when the weather is consistently 40 degrees or higher, 6,728 feet of roadway will be laid down with a two-inch overlay. Throughout the Conselyea Park area, 525 plants will be planted.

To manage the needs of residents and businesses during construction, DDC has a full-time Community Construction Liaison (CCL) assigned to the project. CCL Rachel Zurita keeps the neighborhood apprised of construction progress, coordinates street closures and utility shutoffs and can arrange special requests such as deliveries to local homes and businesses. Ms. Zurita works on-site and is directly accessible to the public at (347) 744-2524 or by email at brookvilleccl@gmail.com.

About the NYC Department of Environmental Protection

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to more than 9.6 million residents, including 8.6 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 a robust capital program, with a planned $20.1 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 long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $14 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.