$541,000 awarded to town- a FEMA advance assistance grant related to Hartsdale Brook
The Town of Greenburgh recently received notice of award for a FEMA Advanced Assistance Grant related to Hartsdale Brook. The grant program is administered by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and is awarded to the Town in the amount of $541,000. Hartsdale Brook has historically been susceptible to major flooding during significant rainfall events (with multiple recent events) causing severe damage to businesses of East Hartsdale Avenue and in the vicinity of Four Corners, as well as causing severe damage to the multi-family buildings on the south side of East Hartsdale Avenue. Town Board members have made several visits to these areas to witness the damage and speak to residents and business owners. The grant application built upon prior studies prepared by Consultant AKRF in 2019-2021 and will further advance concept solutions prepared by AKRF.
The advanced assistance project will fund environmental analyses and feasibility studies to develop solutions for 100-year flood mitigation related directly to Hartsdale Brook. Proposed tasks under this project include administrative costs, land surveys, geotechnical investigations (including 15 geotechnical borings and 4 test pits), environmental, historic, natural, and archeological resource site assessments, a hydrologic and hydraulic sensitivity analysis, permitting analysis, stakeholder coordination and outreach, alternatives development, and a final feasibility study report.
Town staff is in the process of preparing a Request for Proposals for Engineering Firms that will assist the Town in completing the above scope of tasks. The Town has also applied to Westchester County for additional funding in the amount of $400,000 which will supplement the awarded project and provide for advanced levels of construction drawings, which when complete, will best position the Town for future FEMA or other construction funding. While the process to get a flood mitigation project of this magnitude shovel-ready and funded is lengthy and difficult, I am very pleased that the Town is taking the proactive steps available to provide much-needed flood relief. Periodic updates will be made available on the Town website and direct via future E-blast and as noted above, community outreach is a an important component of the project.
In recent years there has been a push by some civic leaders to amend our zoning laws to allow mixed use development at the 4 corners in Hartsdale. Addressing flooding is, in my opinion, essential if we are going to be able to redevelop the 4 corners.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Superviso