$24 Million Infrastructure Project to Upgrade Sewers in Hollis and Queens Village
August 19, 2019
NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Vincent Sapienza and NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Lorraine Grillo announced today that a $24 million project has begun in Hollis and Queens Village to improve street conditions, alleviate flooding and upgrade infrastructure. The project is being funded by DEP, managed by DDC, and is scheduled to be completed in summer 2021.
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 45 projects overall, including 10 that are substantially completed and 11 that are in active construction.
“We are building a comprehensive drainage system across southeast Queens that will improve the quality of life for residents and businesses and raise the value of properties,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “We thank the residents for their patience during construction, our partners at DDC for their professional work and the elected officials for helping us deliver for their constituents.”
“Through its infrastructure investments the de Blasio Administration has made a strong commitment to the people of southeast Queens,” said DDC Commissioner Lorraine Grillo. “With this project thousands of residents and business owners in Hollis and Queens Village will have their flooding issues addressed and their streets rebuilt.”
“Residents of Hollis and Queens Village are all too familiar with the chronic flooding of streets and home basements throughout Southeast Queens,” said State Senator Leroy Comrie. “I commend Mayor de Blasio and Commissioners Grillo and Sapienza for investing in a comprehensive array of infrastructure improvements that will address this persistent quality of life problem in Hollis, Queens Village and other affected parts of Southeast Queens.”
“This is an important investment in our borough’s future that will benefit the health, safety and properties of the growing families of Hollis and Queens Village,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “This comprehensive $24 million capital project underscores the City’s commitment to alleviating the chronic flooding and street conditions that have long plagued the neighborhoods. The NYC Department of Design and Construction, led by Commissioner Lorraine Grillo, and NYC Department of Environmental Protection, led by Commissioner Vincent Sapienza, deserve to be commended for prioritizing these infrastructure needs.”
“This is a critical and important quality of life project for the residents of Hollis and Queens Village,” said Assemblymember Clyde Vanel. “Investing in this $24 million capital project, spotlights and prioritizes the health and safety of local residents. We anticipate and look forward to continued communication throughout the duration of this drainage infrastructure overhaul. I applaud the de Blasio Administration, DDC Commissioner Grillo, DEP Commissioner Sapienza and their team for identifying areas that were in need of repair and addressing those concerns.”
“This project further demonstrates the City’s historic commitment to alleviate flooding in Southeast Queens,” said Council Member I. Daneek Miller. “The installation of new drainage infrastructure will provide much needed relief in areas where the quality-of-life, health, and safety of local residents has been adversely impacted. Undoubtedly, the period of construction will be inconvenient, but our expectation is that constant engagement and transparency about the project’s progression will help mitigate inconveniences while promoting the project’s long-term benefits. I thank the Administration, DEP Commissioner Sapienza, DDC Commissioner Grillo, and their staff for continuing to be steadfast partners in this continuing endeavor.”
Work will occur on 20 individual blocks. More than one mile (7,190 feet) of water mains, some of which were installed before World War II, will be replaced and an additional 600 feet of new water mains will be added, with pipes ranging from 6 to 20 inches in diameter. Fire protection will be enhanced with the replacement of 18 existing fire hydrants while four additional fire hydrants will be installed at new locations. Two fenders will be placed in front of each fire hydrant to increase protection from potential damage that can be caused by oncoming traffic.
There will be a total of 2,030 feet of storm sewers added to the neighborhoods, plus 1,755 feet of existing storm sewers will be replaced, ranging in size from 12 inches in diameter to oval sewers that are 45 inches wide by 29 inches high. To better capture stormwater and direct it to the new storm sewers, 16 new catch basins will be installed and 35 existing ones will be replaced. More than one mile (6,863 feet) of existing sanitary sewer will be replaced and 400 feet of new 10 inches in diameter sanitary sewer will be installed.
As part of the final street restoration, 13,790 feet of curbs will be replaced, 30,814 square feet of sidewalks will be reconstructed and 36,113 square yards of new asphalt will be laid down over a new concrete base. The new curbs and sidewalks will be leveled to help guide stormwater to the area’s new catch basins and to ensure adequate drainage during storms.
To manage the needs of residents and businesses during construction, DDC has a full-time Community Construction Liaison (CCL) assigned to the project. CCL Michelle Arfeen 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. Arfeen works on-site and is directly accessible to the public at (347) 405-0006 or by email at seq002539ccl@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 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 $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.
About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
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 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.