February 7, 2023
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas today announced the start of construction on a $2.5 million project to improve resiliency at Edgewater Park, a co-op neighborhood in the Bronx. The improvements, funded through HCR’s Office of Resilient Homes and Communities (RHC), will allow Edgewater Park’s volunteer firehouse and community center, which is also a polling place during elections, to serve as a shelter during extreme weather events.
HCR Commissioner Visnauskas said, “Our $2.5 million investment will fund essential upgrades to the Edgewater Park facility, ensuring the firehouse and community center remains a vital link in the emergency response chain and an asset to the surrounding neighborhood. As New York is impacted more and more by the effects of climate change, our work to improve the resiliency of communities and keep residents safe will take on even greater importance.”
The Edgewater Park project will include:
- Installation of a new backup generator for emergency power to provide accessory usage for equipment, support essential functions of both the community center and the volunteer fire department during power disruptions, and provide backup power for street lighting to enhance public safety.
- Upgrades to the heating and air-conditioning units in the community center
- ADA-compliant bathrooms in the community center
- New windows throughout the entire building that provide increased resiliency to high winds and preserve the building envelope
- New roofing, flashings, and waterproofing to mitigate leaks on the roof
The upgrades will ensure that the facility can function as a shelter during major storms and as a cooling center during extreme heat. The measures at the volunteer firehouse also improve the Edgewater Park’s emergency preparedness. Many of the Fire Department of New York’s (FDNY) emergency vehicles are too big to navigate Edgewater Park’s small streets, which often requires the volunteer firehouse to provide essential first response.
Assemblymember Michael Benedetto said, “I am delighted to hear about this project finally underway. I know the people of Edgewater Park have been waiting patiently and will rightfully be able to have proper accommodations with these resiliency updates to the firehouse/community center facilities. “
“The long-term recovery of Edgewater Park has been stalled for years, and with this investment, the long-awaited repairs will finally happen. While a unique geographic area, it is more vulnerable and requires special attention. This project will provide much-needed upgrades to benefit the community during emergencies,” said Council Member Marjorie Velázquez. “Resiliency projects have become necessary and essential to protecting our waterfront neighborhoods. I look forward to the Edgewater Park community getting the support they’ve longed for and will continue working with Governor Hochul to ensure they are not forgotten.”
The Edgewater Park co-op said, “The Edgewater Park community is proud to be working with NYS RHC on the much anticipated and certainly needed upgrades to our Volunteer Firehouse to make it a relief center that serves not only the 675 homes in our Park but the surrounding areas as well.”
About RHC
In October 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the creation of the Office of Resilient Homes and Communities (RHC), which assumed the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery’s portfolio. GOSR was established as a temporary agency in 2013 to coordinate statewide recovery efforts for Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee. More recently, the agency is also coordinating long term recovery and resiliency efforts for Hurricane Ida. RHC is also partnering with the State's disaster-response agencies to lead New York’s recovery and resiliency efforts and develop a pipeline of resiliency initiatives and strategies across the State.