BFJ Planning was part of a multidisciplinary team hired by the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR)  to develop recon-struction plans for communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The Community Reconstruction Plans identified projects backed by CDBG-DR funding for implementation in areas hit hardest by Sandy. BFJ completed one plan in Staten Island, three in Nassau County, one in the Gravesend and Bensonhurst neighborhoods of Brooklyn and another in Southeast Queens (“Idlewild Watershed Communities”). In each of these communities, BFJ worked closely with committees made up of local residents, business leaders and activists. The community-based planning process included extensive meetings with the local committees, multiple public workshops with a diversity of stakeholders and frequent  coordination with multiple governmental agencies.

The Community Reconstruction Plans consider the risks and needs faced by critical community assets, as well as opportunities to rebuild in a way that protects communities from future storms while also contributing to economic development and protect-ing populations that are especially vulnerable to extreme weather. The objective of the program is to identify short, medium, and long term projects that can be implemented to make these communities more resilient in the face of climate change and rising sea levels. 

In the first round of NYRCR Plans sponsored by the state, two of the communities that BFJ worked with were awarded $3 million in bonus funding through the NY Rising to the Top Competition. Staten Island won the “Best Approach to Resilient Economic Growth” category and South Valley Stream won “Best Use of Green Infrastructure” category. In the second round, the Gravesend/Bensonhurst community was awarded $1 million in bonus funding, winning the “Inclusion of Vulnerable Populations” category.

In 2014, on behalf of GOSR, BFJ completed a two-year anniversary report on New York State’s recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy, as well as Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The report highlighted key activities and their impacts, and the stra-tegic approach taken by the State to address critical rebuilding needs while improving long-term resiliency.

Locations: Gravesend and Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York City, Idlewild Watershed Communities, Queens, New York City, Staten Island, New York City, Bay Park and East Rockaway, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, Five Towns,  Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, South Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County