Image Credit: Department of Environmental Protection

The Coney Island initiative recruits’ volunteers to assist in the effort to help protect New York City’s Waterways. On April 22, 2021, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Vincent Sapienza launched the new Harbor Protectors Initiative to clean up Coney Island. The program aims to recruit volunteers to assist in the cleanup of Coney Island through various methods. (read more…)

350 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn. Image Credit: NYC DEP

The Brooklyn building houses the Department of Environmental Protection water tunnel and shaft maintenance staff. The Department of Design and Construction, along with the Department of Environmental Protection, announced the completion of the refurbishment and upgrades to the historic Flushing Avenue building at 350 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn. The $31.6 million project was funded by the Department of Environmental Protection while the Department of Design and Construction managed the construction of the project. (read more…)

Solar panels like these will be installed on almost 50 school buildings citywide. Image Credit: NYC DEP

The new solar power installations will help to generate over 22 megawatts of solar energy. On March 1, 2021, New York City and the New York Power Authority announced the installation of solar arrays at almost 50 public schools within New York City as well as at water treatment facilities in Manhattan, Westchester, Delaware, and Ulster counties. The power generated by the installations is enough to power approximately 5,600 City residences and reduce nearly 7,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent each year. Energy storage facilities are also planned to be used at these facilities in order to store power for times of higher electricity demand. (read more…)

Water main upgrades in Brooklyn. Image Credit: NYC DEP

Nearly seven miles of new water mains will be added to improve water distribution. On September 16, 2020, the New York City Departments of Environmental Protection and Design and Construction announced the new upgrades to the Gravesend and Sheepshead Bay areas. The $30 million project includes replacing nearly seven miles of century-old water mains, 108 fire hydrants, and installing 17 new fire hydrants. The project is scheduled to be completed by Fall 2021 and covers the areas along Avenue S, between Coney Island and Ocean Avenues, as well as portions of East 12^th St., Homecrest Avenue, East 13^th St. – East 19^th St., Avenue T, Avenue U, Avenue V, and Gravesend Neck Road. (read more…)

Image Credit: Department of Environmental Protection

City prioritizes safe drinking water with infrastructure investment. On July 23, 2020, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection announced that during the first week of August, construction of a stormwater collection system near the Cross River Reservoir would commence. The stormwater collection system is intended to enhance reservoir protections by capturing runoff, sediment and nutrients from a 9.3-acre drainage area in the town of Bedford. The venture is projected to cost nearly $1.1 million and expected to occupy 1 acre of city-owned property east of the Cross River Dam.

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