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Q&A
Discussion on funding challenges for large-scale infrastructure projects
1:48:08
·
108 sec
Beth DeFalco from DEP addresses the funding challenges for the $30 billion infrastructure upgrade plan, explaining the complexities of financing such large-scale projects and the limitations of current funding mechanisms.
- DeFalco mentions a recent task force report on funding structures for large infrastructure projects.
- She explains that the current method of funding through water bills is not sufficient for a $30 billion project.
- The discussion touches on the benefits and limitations of green infrastructure compared to gray infrastructure.
- Council Member Restler presses for more concrete solutions to accelerate the timeline for addressing critical flooding risks.
Beth DeFalco
1:48:08
There's a recent task force report that might be worth, and we can get you a copy of it, looking into in terms of funding structure and the way that we think about funding these projects.
1:48:18
Projects because, yeah, dollars 30,000,000,000, DEP can't pay for that.
1:48:23
The way that we pay for infrastructure upgrades is through water bills, which you don't want to raise for everybody in the city.
1:48:28
So yes, it's a confounding problem.
1:48:30
And some green infrastructure can be incredibly beneficial because often you can build anything above ground faster and less costly than you can build below ground.
1:48:40
And it's less disruptive.
1:48:42
But does it convey or move as much water as you want as gray infrastructure?
1:48:46
Not always.
1:48:48
The way that you I think funding is going to be the largest challenge and the way that we think about funding now and in the long term.
1:48:55
And what kind of funding can you put in place that is consistent, steady and can't be touched I think are probably sort
1:49:12
It on what want do.
1:49:15
If if you're talking about speeding up the timeline to do a double barrel sewer in Queens, construction timeline is a construction timeline.
1:49:23
So I don't think it's a very simple question with a very complicated answer.
James F. Gennaro
1:49:03
of the big
Lincoln Restler
1:49:03
So just to be clear, if there were more resources available, DP would have the capacity to speed up the timelines?
1:49:11
I'm because I
1:49:26
I mean, yes and no.
1:49:27
I'm not I mean, look.
1:49:28
This is not about like how do we green a medium.
1:49:30
That's not what I'm talking about.
1:49:32
I'm talking about the 86 areas that you identified that are the most critical flooding risks in the city that require our immediate and aggressive attention, and we're telling those communities we're gonna fix it in thirty years.
1:49:43
That's what I'm talking about.
1:49:44
So if you're telling me that the the critical path challenge that we need to resolve is funding, then let's have that conversation about funding.
1:49:50
If you're telling me that it's something else, then let's have the conversation about something else.
1:49:53
But I I I'm not I I I think I'm being clear.