Today, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), NYC Health + Hospitals, and community stakeholders celebrated the ribbon cutting of a new flood protection system at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan in East Harlem.
The Metropolitan Hospital Floodwall Resiliency Project was initiated by NYCEDC and NYC Health + Hospitals in 2016 following Hurricane Sandy to address the hospital’s flooding vulnerabilities given its close proximity to the East River and the growing climate risks of coastal storm surge and extreme rainfall. The completion of the Metropolitan Hospital floodwall fulfills a key priority of NYC Health + Hospitals’ Climate Resilience Plan, which details improvements to hospital infrastructure to ensure the public health system’s resilience in the face of climate change, and aligns with a core objective of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ PlaNYC: Getting Sustainability Done to protect the city’s shorelines. Released in April 2023, the plan outlines the city’s long-term strategic climate plan highlighting the city’s efforts to protect New Yorkers from climate threats and create a more resilient, equitable, healthy city.
“NYCEDC shares the Mayor’s commitment to taking bold action against climate change by building sustainable infrastructure that protects New Yorkers,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “We are proud to work with our federal and city partners to oversee the construction of this project at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, which will safeguard the hospital and allow our healthcare workers to focus on patient care.”
“On behalf of Metropolitan Hospital’s leadership, employees, and the many patients we serve, I would like to express my gratitude to NYC Health + Hospitals, NYCEDC, and FEMA for prioritizing the protection of our hospital and our community from the impact of future superstorms,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan CEO Julian S. John. “As a part of the largest municipal healthcare system in the country, Metropolitan provides critical care to some of the most vulnerable members of our surrounding community. In the face of climate change, the completion of this floodwall offers all of our patients and staff the security and confidence of knowing we will be able to provide consistent, reliable care during climate emergencies.”
“Strengthening the resilience of our hospitals, especially as climate-related hazards become more frequent and severe, is critical to ensuring that NYC Health + Hospitals can continue providing uninterrupted care to New Yorkers no matter the weather,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Vice President of Facilities Manny Saez. “The completion of this state-of-the-art floodwall at Metropolitan Hospital is a testament to our commitment to safeguarding the public healthcare system’s infrastructure, and fulfills a core project of our broader Climate Resilience Plan. By addressing vulnerabilities from storm surges and heavy rainfall, we are not only protecting our facilities but reinforcing the trust our communities place in us during times of crisis.”
“What does resilience and addressing climate look like for the East Harlem community? It’s new waterfront access and expanding the greenway; it’s delivering new flooding and heat solutions for Clinton and Jefferson Houses; and it’s strengthening our health care system with floodwalls and other infrastructure investments that will improve the lives of vulnerable populations across this City,” said Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice Executive Director Elijah Hutchinson.
“As long-term partners with NYC Health + Hospitals and NYC EDC, we’re honored to work together on enhancing patient care for the community,” said Andrew Eckl, CCM, CHC and senior program manager at STV. “By integrating sustainable and resilient solutions, this project exemplifies STV’s commitment to delivering infrastructure that meets our needs today and in the future.”
“New Yorkers’ health depends on hardening our critical healthcare infrastructure so that it is protected against the growing threat of climate change. With this new floodwall, East Harlemites will be able to depend on Metropolitan Hospital even in the worst of storms,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “Our public hospital system is a crown jewel of the city, so I’m grateful to EDC for investing in its future.”
“Protecting New York City from rising sea levels and unpredictable weather events is critical for New York City climate resiliency,” said Senator José M. Serrano. “The healthcare system at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan in East Harlem has implemented critical stormwater infrastructure to ensure healthcare workers can provide vital care to patients. These protective measures will help ensure that potential future weather events will not interfere with necessary patient care in our community.”
“In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, it is vital that we remain prepared and well-equipped to protect our district from increasing climate risks, particularly those near the East River,” said Assemblymember Edward Gibbs. “I applaud NYCEDC and NYC Health + Hospitals for completing the new perimeter and upgraded water detention systems, which will safeguard Metropolitan Hospital against hurricanes and other natural disasters. I look forward to continuing my support for our hospitals and initiatives that strengthen our resilience to climate change.”
“In 2012, Hurricane Sandy demonstrated just how vulnerable East Harlem and other communities are to storm surge and sea levels rising,” said Community Board 11 Chairperson Xavier A. Santiago “If it were not for the luck of the tides, East Harlem and Metropolitan Hospital would have received even more catastrophic damage. Community Board 11 is beyond pleased to see the necessary investment in Metropolitan Hospital’s floodwall, which will protect the integral infrastructure and doctors as they provide care to our patients. Not only will this new infrastructure provide safety to the hospital during future storms, the installation’s artwork provided by Miguel Luciano will serve as a reminder of our resiliency. As we tackle climate change together, we look forward to future investments from the city such as the completion of the entire East River Esplanade and other such infrastructure investments, so that not just Metropolitan Hospital is protected but all of East Harlem.”
The innovative floodwall varies in height from 8 feet to 12 feet and includes new entrance openings with resilient floodgates of up to 45 feet in width, enabling Metropolitan Hospital to withstand a one-in-500-year storm event. The project will protect the hospital campus from significant flooding caused by heavy rain and storm surge, which are becoming increasingly common. These upgrades will ensure patients receive uninterrupted critical care. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funded the $112 million project, which includes the construction of a perimeter floodwall and an upgraded storm water detention system.
The project’s protective measures will prevent future flood waters from reaching the hospital, minimizing damage to infrastructure and allowing the facility to remain operational during hurricane and super storm events. The project reconfigured areas of the hospital exterior to support the flood mitigation system, while allowing for hospital functionality, public accessibility, and emergency vehicle access. Improvements were made to protect loading docks, harden the Mental Health Building walls, and relocate hospital medical supply services. Additionally, construction teams installed new lighting, erosion controls, fire protections, and security enhancements.
Improvements were also made to Metropolitan Hospital’s public spaces with the creation of a picnic area along First Avenue, in addition to new public seating and landscaping around the campus that creates a more welcoming environment for Metropolitan’s patients. NYC Health + Hospitals and NYCEDC have incorporated artwork into the design of the floodwall. After a competitive selection process on behalf of representatives from NYC Health + Hospitals, NYCEDC, the Department of Cultural Affairs, and community members, local artist Miguel Luciano was chosen to incorporate artwork into the overall project. The artwork, Joy, Love and Resistance in El Barrio (2024), features historic, celebratory images of East Harlem residents by renowned photographer Hiram Maristany (1945-2022), a lifelong resident of East Harlem, a founding member of the Young Lords, and their official photographer.
When Hurricane Sandy hit New York City in October 2012, nearly every large NYC Health + Hospitals facility sustained damage from rain, wind, and flooding. The most significant physical damage and serious flooding occurred at three of the public health system’s acute care hospitals – Bellevue, South Brooklyn Health, and Metropolitan – and Coler, a long-term care and rehabilitation facility. At Metropolitan Hospital, the majority of staff endured the storm to provide uninterrupted care for patients. In the storm’s aftermath, power was lost in sections of the hospital, resulting in relocation of patients within the building. Facilities personnel also worked throughout this period to provide temporary flood protection measures, to restore power lost when various generators were impacted, and to provide temporary dewatering where pumps had failed.
Over the past ten years, the health system has made significant strides to make its buildings and campuses more resilient, including opening a brand-new, storm-resilient hospital at the NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health and erecting floodwalls, installing new boilers, and creating elevator flood protection at several hospital facilities. A total of 30 resiliency projects were initiated across the four primary affected facilities. The public health system secured approximately $1.8 billion from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for these resiliency projects.
Protecting New York City from rising sea levels and future weather events is a critical component of the city’s resiliency efforts. In Lower Manhattan, the city has begun construction of the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resilience project, consisting of the Brooklyn Bridge-Montgomery Costal Resilience, Seaport Coastal Resilience, FiDi/Seaport Climate Resilience Master Plan, and Battery Coastal Resilience.
NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city’s future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook
NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org
NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan
NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan is the community hospital of choice for residents of East Harlem, northern Manhattan and neighboring communities. The hospital provides culturally-sensitive care in a welcoming and hospitable setting, emphasizing primary care medicine and utilizing the latest advances in medical science. It is part of NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal hospital and health care system in the country. For more information, please visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/metropolitan.
Photo credit: 1) Espailat. 2-3) NYC.gov 4) Joy, Love and Resistance in El Barrio (detail), 2024, by Miguel Luciano with photographs by Hiram Maristany. (Photo: Miguel Luciano).
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