FEMA Releases Grant Funds For World Trade Center Recovery Costs
Release Date: May 15, 2003
Release Number: 1391-207
» More Information on New York Terrorist Attack
New York, NY -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) obligated an additional $40,502,483 to the state of New York to help New York City continue its long-term recovery from the World Trade Center (WTC) attack. With the new grants announced today, the total funding obligated through FEMA's Public Assistance program is $2.28 billion.
"New York City's response and recovery efforts after September 11th demonstrated a determination that inspired the entire nation," said Under Secretary Michael D. Brown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FEMA. "FEMA is committed to fulfilling President Bush's pledge to support New York in its long-term recovery from the attack by providing funds to the city agencies that played such a critical role over the past 20 months."
The grantees in this round of federal funding include:
New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
- $14,068,441 for the replacement of office equipment, furnishings and contents lost when OEM's former leased headquarters on the 23rd floor of the WTC 7 building was destroyed in the September 11th attack.
New York City Department of Information Technology &Telecommunications (DOITT)
- $1,625,210 for communications equipment provided by DOITT for OEM's headquarters, which was destroyed in the collapse WTC 7.
New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS)
- $2,167,602 for furniture, copiers, radios and antennae equipment, computer hardware and software, and a mobile air sampler purchased by DCAS on behalf of OEM. The equipment, vital and necessary in the aftermath of the disaster, replaced similar equipment lost when OEM's WTC 7 headquarters were destroyed.
The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
- $6,431,470 reimbursing DSNY for the increased cost to keep the Fresh Kills landfill operational for an additional year to accept debris from the World Trade Center site. The debris disposal operation was completed in late July 2002, with site restoration work at the landfill completed approximately six to eight weeks later.
The New York City Department of Education (DOE)
- $5,186,145 reimbursing the DOE for contracted services required to inspect, test and abate contaminated areas, including the ventilation system and auditorium, at Stuyvesant High School at Chambers and West Streets.
The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT)
- $2,520,409 for the total reconstruction of 20 streets in lower Manhattan damaged as a result of the collapse of the WTC and subsequent debris removal operations. The reconstruction includes concrete roadbase, asphalt paving, curbs, sidewalks, traffic signals, street lights and signs.
- $1,533,537 for the repair of 24 streets in lower Manhattan damaged during the collapse of the WTC or as a result of the debris removal operation that followed.
- $1,072,790 for repairs to four blocks of Barclay and Washington streets in lower Manhattan. These blocks were damaged by falling debris from the World Trade Center, and received additional damage while used as a staging area for the reconstruction of the Cortlandt Street subway tunnel.
The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC)
- $3,612,173 for the establishment of loss control services at the WTC site, designed to ensure that debris removal contractors were in full compliance with critical safety and health rules, thus minimizing worker injuries.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY)
- $2,284,706 reimbursing the FDNY for overtime expenses incurred during the final months of debris removal at the WTC site.
Commenting on the release of funds, New York State Emergency Management Office Director Edward F. Jacoby, Jr. said, "New York City's OEM played a critical role in orchestrating so many facets of the recovery effort, made all the more difficult by the loss of their headquarters in the World Trade Center complex. More recently, the City's Department of Transportation has responded to the needs of downtown commuters, residents and businesses by reopening streets and avenues that were devastated by the September 11th disaster. New York State is proud to partner with FEMA to make these public assistance funds available for these and other important recovery projects."
The grants are funded through the FEMA/State of New York Public Assistance Program. President Bush authorized FEMA to pay for 100 percent of the program costs following his disaster declaration after the Sept. 11 tragedy. Public Assistance reimburses government agencies and certain non-profits providing a government-like service for eligible disaster-related damages and costs not covered by insurance.
Among the categories eligible for reimbursement are the repair or restoration of damaged public facilities, debris removal and emergency protective measures.
Last Modified: Thursday, 15-May-2003 15:25:12