May 4, 2023

Construction takes nine fewer months than anticipated and is finished $3.5 million under budget

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced today that a $28.9 million project to upgrade streets, water mains and sewers in the Gerritsen Beach section of Brooklyn has been completed with construction taking nine months shorter than expected and with more than $3.5 million saved from the original $32.4 million budget.

Construction began in June 2020, six months later than originally scheduled in order to adjust the design to accommodate specific requests from residents in the community, and ended in December 2022, three months ahead of the original schedule. DDC managed the project for DEP and DOT and the design was completed by DDC’s In-House Design team.

“The work of protecting our city against climate change is urgent,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Every month and every dollar is critical. That’s why we’re proud to have delivered these critical infrastructure upgrades for Gerritsen Beach nine months sooner than anticipated and more than $3 million under budget. That’s how we ‘Get Stuff Done’ for New Yorkers in every corner of the city.”

“With every passing year we are seeing more intense storms caused by climate change and this nearly $30 million investment in the Gerritsen Beach community will help to fortify its critical drainage infrastructure,” said NYC Chief Climate Officer and DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “Thank you to our partners at DDC for completing these critical public safety upgrades ahead of schedule and under budget.”

“New Yorkers know our communities need high-quality streets and infrastructure to guard against the impacts of climate change,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Along with Mayor Adams and our partners at DEP and DDC, we are delighted to bring new sidewalks, pavement, pedestrian ramps, watermain, catch basin, bulkhead and sewer upgrades to the dynamic Gerritsen Beach community. These essential improvements will strengthen climate resiliency as well as improve quality of life and public safety in southern Brooklyn for generations to come.”

“With an innovative design by DDC’s In-House Design team and effective project management by DDC’s construction teams, this project took nine fewer months to complete than expected and had a savings of $3.5 million from the original budget,” said NYC Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley. “And the results are remarkable, with improved water and sewer service plus upgraded, safer streets with better drainage in an area that suffered greatly during Superstorm Sandy. Congratulations to everyone involved.”

The Gerritsen Beach project rebuilt more than 60 individual blocks in the neighborhood with new pavement, sidewalks and curbs, new signage, new pedestrian ramps and corner bumpouts that make it safer for pedestrians to cross the street. Overall, 317,000 square feet of roadway, 64,000 square feet of sidewalks and 8,240 feet of curbs were reconstructed. Because of the narrow streets in the area, the project incorporates a shared sidewalk design similar to what DEP, DOT and DDC employed in an ongoing upgrade of streets in Broad Channel, Queens.

Beneath the new streets improvements were also made to the water supply and stormwater drainage systems. Almost 13,000 feet of old water mains were replaced with new pipes, as were 1,050 feet of storm sewers and 1,510 feet of sanitary sewers. Crews also reconstructed two bulkheads where the storm sewers discharge into Shell Bank Creek.

The project also installed 60 new fire hydrants to improve fire response and 72 new catch basins to help drain stormwater from the streets.

“The upgrades in the Gerritsen Beach section of Brooklyn shows how far community engagement, innovative design, and multiagency coordination can take large-scale construction projects—with money saved and construction timelines shorter,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “I’m excited to see this project be completed thoroughly and quickly to provide safer streets and sewer upgrades to Gerritsen Beach after the devastation the community endured during Hurricane Sandy. Thank you to the NYC DDC, DOT and DEP for their work in completing this project with resiliency to extreme climate events in mind.”

“Gerritsen Beach residents have long battled flooded streets and basements during heavy rainfall and storm surges, damaging property and requiring costly repairs. The completion of this $28.9 Million upgrade of streets and infrastructure will go a long way to limit potential flood damage to homes in the neighborhood. I pledge to work tirelessly with my colleagues in city government to ensure that residents of Gerritsen Beach continue to receive the relief from damaging floodwaters they desperately need,” said Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse.

“The completion of the Gerritsen Beach infrastructure project is great news for local residents. Although this project took a long time to begin, its completion is a major boost to the community. Gerritsen Beach is now better able to withstand future dangerous weather events with improved sewers, drainage, roads and water mains. Thanks to the city’s DOT, DEP and DDC that worked on the project and special thanks to the Gerritsen Beach Property owners and President John Mooney who made sure the interests of the community were protected,” said Assembly Member Jaime Williams, 59th A.D.

This project was supported through a combination of funding that included resources from FEMA after Hurricane Sandy, and funds from the New York State Senate.

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 nearly 10 million residents, including 8.8 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 also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. 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 Adams’ 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 $15.5 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.