Sandy News

East Rockaway, Bay Park hold N.Y. Rising meeting

Public forum held, planning in works for $6.5 million allocated for rebuilding after Sandy

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The communities of Bay Park and East Rockaway held their first New York Rising Community Reconstruction Program’s public engagement meeting on Oct. 15 in Hewlett Point Park, Bay Park, with about two dozen people in attendance, as well as representatives from state and federal agencies to provide assistance and answer questions.

The key elements of the plan include identifying sources of funding, protecting vulnerable populations in the area, driving economical growth, and balancing cost with benefits. Residents are welcomed at the public sessions.

$6.5 million was allocated for reconstruction projects for Bay Park and East Rockaway, with possible additional funds procured from social service block grants, FEMA, The Federal Transit Authority, and the Clean Water & Drinking Water State Revolving funds, among other sources.

The representatives asked the public for their input, asking where and how they thought the money would be best utilized. With that input, and other resources and criteria, the designated local committee will make its recommendations to the state.

Interactive displays were set up around the room, asking people to pinpoint where they live; showing where and how the flood waters inundated the community the night of the storm; and asking what their hopes, dreams and visions were East Rockaway and Bay Park.

The Bay Park/East Rockaway CR Planning Committee consists of co-chairs Ed Zangrillo and Melissa Van Wickler, Gary .Aue, Steve Fried, Genevieve Keddy, Harold Messershmitt, Kristin Ochtera, Andrew Pagliaro, Brendon Perini, Anthony Proto, Toni Rossello and Rachel Sumerson.

The public may also attend and listen to the Planning Committee meetings to become more informed about the planning process. The committee held a meeting this Tuesday. While opportunities to speak at the meeting may be limited, the public will soon be invited to actively participate in future public engagement events.

For more information and updates about meetings, visit http://stormrecovery.ny.gov/nyrcr/community/bay-park-and-village-east-rockaway.