Red Hook Houses will be beautiful

Red Hook Houses construction taking a very long time but will be beautiful

by Brian Abate

In the fall of 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused major destruction throughout Red Hook and was especially damaging to the Red Hook Houses. The hurricane and the storm surge it created destroyed boilers, left many people without heat and damaged some roofs beyond repair. In the aftermath of Sandy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) invested $550 million in Red Hook East and West disaster recovery funding. Nekoro Gomes, the Media Relations Director for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA,) was able to provide updates on the construction and answers to my questions about the project via email. “There are many elements of resiliency that have been or will be installed across the 40-acre site to serve every residential building,” Gomes said. “They include new roofs on all 28 residential buildings [complete,] 16 mechanical and electrical annexes raised above future storm surge level predictions, wet and dry floodproofing of ar-

eas of the buildings, installation of full backup power generators for all residential buildings, and replacement of sump pumps and installation of backwater valves to prevent sewage from backing up into the buildings.” Additionally, three new boilers have already been installed and people can expect improvements regarding heat and hot water. “NYCHA is installing modern energyefficient natural gas-powered water heaters in the flood-resistant East Plant that will provide service to all the residential buildings on the site, replacing basement boilers that were significantly damaged during Superstorm Sandy and other boilers that have aged out of their useful life,” according to Gomes. “The hot water from those boilers will be distributed around the site through 20,000 linear feet of new hot water and steam piping.”

NYCHA will also use an interesting technique called “Lily Pads” to protect against flooding. They are areas of raised earth that will “Provide structural reinforcement for the buildings in a flood condition and act as an area of refuge above the flooding level so residents are not trapped in their buildings.” A positive aspect of the project is that community feedback has played a big role in shaping decision-making. So far, there have been nine community meetings about the project with the earliest one taking place in July of 2015. “Additionally, communication between NYCHA and Red Hook residents occurs almost daily – allowing for a consistent feedback loop that has helped improve the project, especially during construction,” according to Gomes. “Ideas and feedback from NYCHA residents that have been incorporated into the project include: reducing the size of the 17 structures in the program, incorporating new playgrounds and site amenities throughout the campus, providing seating areas near building entrances, especially for older adults, and upgrading the site-wide exterior lighting.” Gomes also told me which phases of the project have already been completed and when residents in the Red Hook Houses can expect the remaining phases of the project to be finished. “Phase 1 which is roof and parapet replacement at all 28 residential buildings is 100% complete. The senior center renovation, retail store renovations, and full roof replacement at all residential buildings have already been completed. Phase 2 includes plants, pods, and distribution as well as landscaping which is almost 50% completed. The anticipated completion date for Phase 2 is the end of 2023. “Key components of Phase 2 include a

Future look of Hamilton and Clinton.

"The anticipated completion date for Phase 2 is the end of 2023."

Artist rendering of future campus (meaning this is what the Houses will look like in a couple of years).

completely new heat and hot water system for 2,878 apartments, full backup power generators for all 28 residential buildings, almost 34 miles of electrical conduit to power new equipment, approximately 446,000 square feet of ‘Lily Pad’ flood protection from future flood events combined with enhanced outdoor community space, over 20,000 feet of new hot water and steam piping, and almost 90,000 square feet of service buildings that will raise and protect new critical mechanical, electrical, and plumbing equipment from future floods.” I’ve walked around the Red Hook Houses a few times this month and each time I’ve noticed that workers are making significant progress. Seeing that progress firsthand gives me hope that the project will be completed by the end of 2023, as projected. The project is a massive one and though there have been some setbacks and delays, the project is pr gressing and the end is in sight.

Current state of construction.