CHALLENGES AFTER SANDY INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE Being a private community, the Sea Gate Association, and ultimately the residences of Sea Gate, are responsible for the maintenance of all the public spaces and public infrastructure within the gated community. This includes the sewer and storm water management systems, which quickly filled with sand and failed to handle the unprecedented storm surge.
and not only the homes along the waterfront, the community is trying to obtain financial support from the federal government or to change legislation in hopes of redeveloping this infrastructure.
ABSENT HOMEOWNERS After the storm, many homeowners had to temporarily relocate, as their homes were not habitable. This sense of absence has been a source of frustration for homeowners and residents who remained in the community and are actively engaging in recovery efforts.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE At the time of survey many homeowners and residents had been unable to receive financial assistance for recovery. Some noted, however, that this is due to the relative affluence of the individuals.
Homeowners in Sea Gate pay the same city taxes for sewage, water, and property as other city property owners, but they also pay a premium on top of that to the community association to defray the cost of maintenance of public space, public infrastructure, and police protection within the gates. But following a time of great catastrophe, when residents struggle to rebuild their homes and properties, this private community is also responsible for rebuilding the 100+ year old sewer system that is not equipped to handle storm surges and is currently settling due to the movement of the surrounding ground. The median household income in Sea Gate is $62,000 and if some residents can barely manage to rebuild their own homes, the burden of rebuilding their community systems may be a great financial hardship.
THE SEA WALL Many homeowners, including those who will need to completely rebuild their own homes, may be faced with the financial burdens associated with rebuilding the sea wall. For those residents who might be able to afford to this, it is feared that unless the sea wall is rebuilt as a continuous element constructed of appropriate materials, the damages caused by Hurricane Sandy will be experienced again in the next major storm. As a barrier for other properties in the neighborhood
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ARCHITECTURE FOR HUMANITY NEW YORK