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Q&A
Funding challenges for park projects in flood-prone areas
1:59:13
·
141 sec
Council Member Restler expresses frustration about the funding challenges for park projects in flood-prone areas, particularly the reliance on council member discretionary funds.
- Restler mentions allocating significant funds ($15 million for McCarren Park, $5 million for Greenpoint Playground) from his discretionary budget for resilience projects.
- He expresses disappointment that the Parks Department doesn't seem to prioritize funding for these flood-prone areas.
- There's a discussion about the Parks Department's overall capital budget and the source of its funding.
- Restler clarifies that his concern is specifically about funding for projects in major flood risk areas.
Lincoln Restler
1:59:13
No, I just have to fund it all.
1:59:14
So, know, I mean we've put $15,000,000 aside from McCarran Park.
1:59:18
I mean it's not an insignificant amount of money.
1:59:20
And we've put $5,000,000 into Greenpoint Playground.
1:59:23
We're trying our best to direct the resources that we have access to the areas that are where there's a really resiliency opportunity and where we can mitigate flooding.
1:59:32
It's less to me about I mean like that is the thing that we have to prioritize and my these areas are flood zones.
1:59:41
And there is a like a major health and safety risk that I feel a deep obligation to prioritize in the resources we have going to these places.
1:59:53
And I'm grateful for the partnership from DP.
1:59:55
I wish that the city I mean, and you all come up with resources to handle your portions.
2:00:00
I wish the city I wish that parks had resources to work with us that you would prioritize these areas as well.
2:00:05
It's really just up to me to come up with the money and then you'll cooperate, which I'm grateful for the cooperation.
2:00:11
But like, I don't know, Matt, you're looking at me like I'm wrong.
2:00:14
But it's true.
2:00:14
You guys are nice enough, and that's fine.
2:00:17
But it's like totally my job to come up with every single penny where the project doesn't even get taken off the shelf.
2:00:39
I'm saying in the areas where we have major flood risks, where I'm looking for leadership from the Parks Department to invest resources to help us, I'm getting cooperation and everyone's nice and you join all the calls and you help work with DEP on the projects, but I'm not seeing any money.
2:00:53
It's just whatever money I can bring to the table, and if I come up with enough money for the project to work, it can work.
2:00:57
And if I don't, it doesn't.
2:00:59
That's what I'm I'm not saying that everything that the Parks Department does is is
2:01:04
Jair, thank you for your generosity and time.
2:01:07
No.
2:01:23
You didn't hear from DEP.
2:01:24
You didn't hear from DEP.
2:01:27
I got a number of reports from the deputy commissioner that my failure to provide pizza was a major failing.
Matt Drury
2:00:24
I mean, I guess I'd say we have like a $1,200,000,000 capital plan and, like, 80% of it is funded by the sort of mayoral slash admin.
2:00:31
So I don't I don't know if I quite agree with that, like, the onus of every, like, capital improvement in a park system is completely on the
2:01:03
Got it.
2:01:03
Okay.
2:01:03
Understood.
2:01:04
Thank you.
Robert F. Holden
2:00:38
No.
James F. Gennaro
2:01:07
I I I wanna thank you, council member Ressler, for sharing the list, hearing of this committee, and doing a great job by all reports.
2:01:20
And, you know, just just just to
2:01:24
What's that?
2:01:25
No.
2:01:26
I, you know