Advocacy by Southern Brooklyn Officials Leads to $12 Million in Funding for Sea Gate

Council Member Mark Treyger received notification that the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has committed to $12 million in sewer upgrades for the Sea Gate community in Southern Brooklyn. FEMA has agreed to a rapid reimbursement program to disburse funds to rebuild Sandy damaged sewers in Sea Gate. FEMA will reimburse the Sea Gate Association no later than two weeks after sewer infrastructure work is completed. In addition, FEMA has also committed to compensate for the additional costs of sewer work should they arise and to repair the streets after the sewer work concludes. Total costs can exceed $25 million and will also be covered by FEMA.

In partnership with U.S. Congressmember Hakeem Jeffries and New York State Senator Diane Savino, Council Member Treyger worked to secure a guarantee from FEMA to conduct the much needed sewer work. The Sea Gate neighborhood, along with the Coney Island peninsula, is a highly vulnerable coastal community and suffered severe damage after Superstorm Sandy. For many years, sewer issues have plagued the neighborhood combined with sinkholes and street depressions. Post Superstorm Sandy, FEMA originally did not commit to funding any of the recovery efforts. Now, the critical infrastructure that has been neglected for decades is finally being addressed with a stable solution.

This is part of a greater effort to establish and enhance resiliency protections for the Coney Island peninsula. Previously, Council Member Mark Treyger worked to ensure that FEMA reimbursed the NYC Department of Environmental Protection for damaged infrastructure in Southern Brooklyn. 

“I welcome this significant news and positive step forward. I thank my government colleagues, Congressmember Jeffries, State Senator Savino for working with me, and I thank Governor Cuomo for his support and advocacy to secure this critical funding. There is more to do to ensure that all vulnerable coastal communities have equal access to resiliency funding to prevent the past failures. We must remain steadfast in making our neighborhood and city more resilient,” said Council Member Mark Treyger (Coney Island/ Bensonhurst/Gravesend/Sea Gate).

“We would love to thank all of our local politicians, NYC Council Member Mark Treyger, Senator Savino, Congressmember Jefferies and Governor Cuomo’s Office, for making such an effort to help this community. This long battle wouldn’t be the same without your support and hard work. Thank you so much,” said The Sea Gate Association.