Flood Mitigation Plan Moves Forward

A joint project between the village and the Bronxvlle Board of Education is moving ahead, with an eye toward construction beginning in the late fall of 2014. Following the nor'easter of April 2007, which caused $20 million of damage to the school, Village and school officials discussed what practical local options were available to limit the damage in future flooding events.  The Village commissioned Folchetti and Associates to build on previous reports and submit a proposal to state and federal agencies.  Eventually, FEMA and SEMO approved a $6,889,905 flood mitigation project, of which the federal share would be 75%, and the Village and school district would split the local share of $1,722,475. The school portion of the project would require a referendum.

Engineer Paul Pelusio of Folchetti & Associates presented the plan at the March 20th Board of Education meeting.

Essentially the project would install a large network of pipes under Hayes Field in order to detain flood water and prevent it from backing up into the school. A stormwater pumping station located on the Midland Avenue side of the School would pump water into the Bronx River both during and after flooding events. A dedicated pipe will cross Midland, go behind Village Hall, and ultimately deliver the storm water to the Bronx River.

Five months have been allocated for the permitting process, including environmental impact reviews.  The project has already been vetted at the federal level by FEMA. If approved, this construction project is scheduled for bidding this fall, with construction to begin in December 2014 and completion by September 2015.  It is anticipated that Hayes Field would be unavailable for use during the spring season, 2015.

Board President David Brashear pointed out that the plan accommodated several operational concerns advanced by the District. The footprint of excavation is substantially smaller, and the depth has been reduced from ten feet to seven feet.  This will be more economical and less disruptive than the previous plan.  District advisers KG&D Architecture and John Meyer Consulting have been instrumental in refining the plan to address school concerns.

The full presentation can be found here, and for a related article on field reconfiguration, go here.