$28 Million Set to Rebuild Brooklyn Navy Yard Nearly 15 Years After Hurricane Sandy

By Y.M. Lowy

Almost 15 years after Hurricane Sandy devastated the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a $28 million federal grant is set to restore the site. 

Spearheaded by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, alongside Rep. Nydia Velázquez, the funding will replace damaged boilers and fuel tanks at the Navy Yard’s Cogeneration Station and bolster infrastructure to withstand future storms.

 “This funding is a game-changer,” said Senator Schumer. “It’s going to help bring the Navy Yard back stronger and better than before and ensure that it remains a cornerstone of Brooklyn’s economy for years to come.”

Almost a decade and a half later, the scars of Hurricane Sandy still run deep at the Navy Yard. The storm’s surge flooded the yard with up to six feet of water, causing $100 million in damage. Vital equipment and systems were ruined, but the Navy Yard pushed on, operating at less-than-optimal capacity. Now, this grant is a game-changer, ensuring the facility can function at full capacity and protect local businesses from the next big storm.

photo credit: brooklynnavyyard.org