New Rochelle to Study Storm Damage to Public Facilities

New Rochelle is seeking proposals from structural engineering firms to assess damage to some public facilities damaged by Superstorm Sandy.

At Tuesday's City Council meeting, Public Works Commissioner Alexander Tergis said he was hoping to quickly get the damage study and put out bids for the work at the city's parks.

"The concern is to try to get these open for the upcoming season," he said.

Parks and Recreation Commissioner William Zimmermann said the damage includes dealing with sea walls, piles and decking.

"It almost looks like we had an earthquake at the Hudson Park sun deck," he said.

Zimmermann said the municipal marina alone incurred $280,000 in damage.

He said the damage included piles and ramping at Neptune Park; torn ripwrap, tree damage and having to re-establish the shoreline at Davenport Park; a completely undermined main parking lot at Hudson Park; and the loss of a dock at Five Islands Park.

In spite of all that has to be repaired, Zimmerman said the city is going to "try to make a season of it."

Assistant City Manager Omar Small said Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives have visited the city and inspected the damage.

"It's a long process (to get funding)," Small said. "Hopefully we will start to get some reimbursement coming in."

He said FEMA has advised the city that it could rebuild to pre-storm conditions or decide to replace some facilities to better withstand future storms.

No matter what, City Manager Charles Strome III said the city will not be fully reimbursed for staff time, overtime and equipment use.

"This will have a budget impact on us," he said.