"Sandy's Watery Wake-up Call"

Check out the new Spring issue of Oculus featuring the article "Sandy's Watery Wake-up Call", written by DfRR co-chairs, Lance Jay Brown FAIA & Illya Azaroff AIA.  The article discusses and explores steps that must be taken to prevent future loss and devastation.

For the full article, click HERE.

Post-Sandy Recovery Grant Deadline this Wednesday

From The New York Landmarks Conservancy:   Dear Friend of the Conservancy:   Last Friday, the Landmarks Conservancy was contacted by FEMA officials because of our work disbursing Emergency Grants in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  So far, the Conservancy has provided grants to nearly a dozen landmarked nonprofit and religious institutions damaged by the storm.  Officials at FEMA were eager to know about these projects and were tapping our knowledge about other post-Sandy restoration efforts involving historic properties. They reminded us that the deadline to apply for a grant from FEMA is Wednesday February 27, 2013 and asked us to help get the word out that the deadline is fast approaching. They have the ability to help eligible historic landmarks receive funding through a $50 million National Park Service Hurricane Sandy recovery program. On our website is information from the New York Joint Field Operation of FEMA regarding their grants including the applications handbook, and specific guidelines for FEMA’s public assistance program. If you work with or know of a historic landmark damaged by Hurricane Sandy, please contact Jenny Bernstein, at the division that is charged specifically with landmark properties. She can be reached at   Jenny Bernstein Federal Disaster Recovery Coordination Natural and Cultural Resources Liaison Forest Hills Tower JFO DR-4085-NY Forest Hills, NY  11375   Jenny.bernstein@fema.dhs.gov 609-480-1462   Sincerely,

Peg Breen President

Recent Lecture led by DfRR co-chair

DfRR co-chair, Illya Azaroff presented and led the discussion as part of The Current Issues Lecture Series at the School of Visual Arts last week.  The lecture looked and discussed pre & post Sandy preparations and responses.

Presentation on Construction Standards in Flood Zones and Procedures for Rebuilding After Sandy

On January 22nd, 2013, The Building Code Committee of the New York Chapter of the AIA presented a practical course, Construction Standards in Flood Zones and Procedures for Rebuilding After Sandy.  The presented course covers construction standards in flood zones, including new construction, substantial damage, substantial improvement, alterations, and repairs. Also covered, are the regulatory framework for design and construction in flood zones, including areas regulated by the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation.

Click Here to download the presentation.

Updated Event: NYC's Post-Sandy Recovery: How're We Doin'?

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM — RSVP

At the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place
Organized by: Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee & The New York American Society of Landscape Architects

Three months after the ravages of Superstorm Sandy, this program brings together architects, government, and civic leaders to both report on the status and effectiveness of New York City and the region's recovery. The session will provide an opportunity to evaluate housing, neighborhood and open space clean-up and rebuilding initiatives.

On October 21st, 2012,  AIANY’s Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee (DfRR) fielded a similarly-constituted panel at the Center for Architecture to address the question: “After Disaster: How Does New York Plan to Recover?” Only eight days later, Hurricane Sandy devestated the region--an unprecedented challenge to the disaster-recovery systems that were described in October. This program asks: Do you think they worked? And what now?

DfRR has focused the Chapter’s efforts on disaster awareness and preparedness. It is an interdisciplinary committee  of architects, planners, landscape architects, engineers, and related professionals and is a source for information, discussion, connections, and the most advanced thinking on risk, mitigation, and resilience.

Welcome:
Lance Jay Brown, FAIA, DPACSA
Illya Azaroff, AIA
Co-Chairs, AIANY Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee

Moderator:
Denisha Williams, RLA, LEED AP
Immediate Past President, New York Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects

Speakers:
Erica Keberle
Deputy Director, NYC Mayor’s Office of City Legislative Affairs, NYC Rapid Repairs, External Affairs

Bram Gunther
Chief, Forestry & Horticulture and Natural Resources Group, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation

Thaddeus Pawlowski
Associate Urban Designer, Office of the Chief Urban Designer, New York City Department of City Planning

Anthony C. Romeo, AIA
Parks Program Director, New York City Department of Design + Construction

Dean Sakamoto, FAIA, LEED AP
Urban Resilience Lab, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Ronald Schiffman, FAICP, Hon. AIA NYS
Professor, Pratt Graduate Center for Planning, Pratt Center for Community Development

Participants will have the opportunity to contribute to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City to support Superstorm Sandy relief efforts.The Mayor’s Fund retains no administrative fee, and 100% of donations are being dispersed to relief efforts and organizations. Funds will support immediate aid needs – including, food, water and hygiene supplies – as well as long-term relief and restoration.

AIA CES: 1.5 LUs | 1.5 HSW
LACES: 1.5 NYS LA CEUs/ 1.5 HSW
Price: Free for AIA & NYASLA members; $10 for non-members

RSVP

Tune in...

Tune in to NY1 this coming Monday 1/28/13 @ 8:30pm to view Budd Mishkin's One on 1 interview with Klaus Jacob.  Discussion to include climate change and Hurricane Sandy.
Click Here for Link to Interview

Reminder: Event Tonight

Designing the City after Superstorm Sandy: Fundraiser & Discussion

Photo by andjelicaaa via the architect's newspaper

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Klaus Jacob - Geophysicist, Urban Environmental Disaster Expert, Columbia University (SIPA, EI/LDEO)
Rob Rogers, FAIA - Principal, Rogers Marvel Architects
Stephen Cassell, AIA, LEED AP - Principal, Co-Founder, Architecture Research Office (ARO)
Cynthia Barton - Disaster Housing Recovery Plan Manager, NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
Moderator: Michael Kimmelman - Chief Architecture Critic, The New York Times

DETAILS

Thursday, November 15, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM  — RSVP
At the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place [Directions] 

DONATION

Suggested Donation: $10
All contributions will be donated to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City to support Superstorm Sandy relief efforts. The Mayor’s Fund retains no administrative fee, and one hundred percent of donations are being dispersed to relief efforts and organizations. Funds will support immediate aid needs – including, food, water and hygiene supplies – as well as long-term relief and restoration.
RSVP

MTV and Architecture for Humanity Fundraiser for Jersey Shore Rebuild

MTV and Architecture for Humanity are working together to raise funds for the rebuilding of the Jersey Shore through an hour long fund raiser staged tonight on MTV. All funds raised will go to Architecture for Humanity, an internationally recognized non-profit that led rebuilding efforts in post-Katrina New Orleans and post-earthquake Haiti.

WATCH

The cast of MTV's "Jersey Shore" - as well as stars from other top MTV shows including "Awkward," "Teen Wolf," "Teen Mom," "The Challenge," and "The Real World" - will be live in MTV's Times Square studio, calling donors to thank them for giving. Stars contributing messages of support who will be featured on-air include One Direction, Mac Miller, Pharrell, Kim Kardashian, Ne-Yo, Bruno Mars, fun., the Jonas Brothers, All Time Low, Sean Kingston and many more.

"Restore the Shore" will also feature live performances from Gym Class Heroes (with special guest Oh Land) performing the comeback anthem "The Fighter," as well as "American Idol" Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips performing his stirring hit "Home."

For more information, go to: Restore the Shore
Thursday, 11.15.2012
11:00 pm

DONATE

Do your part now. Donate $25 or more here and receive an exclusive MTV "Restore the Shore" song bundle, which includes 30 songs from the past six seasons of "Jersey Shore."

Or make a $10 donation by texting SHORE to 85944 (message and data rates will apply).

LEARN MORE

Architecture for Humanity intends to help rebuild homes, businesses, and the boardwalk in Seaside Heights. After their 140 mile tour of post-Sandy New York and New Jersey coastline, the New York City Chapter and their Disaster Team have identified the following priorities:

• Repair of structurally sound intact houses and businesses so they can regain full functionality and habitability. $20,000 grants can get MEP needs for many of these buildings solved, for instance.
• Reconstruction of destroyed homes.
• Building back green: helping people identify sustainable strategies for coastal living, and developing strategies to mitigate or circumvent future destruction from severe weather events.

Designing the City after Superstorm Sandy: Fundraiser & Discussion

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM  — RSVP
At the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place [Directions] 

Superstorm Sandy has left us all wondering: what is the role of design in protecting our city against climate change? This fundraiser will feature thoughtful discussion between leaders in disaster resilience design. The Center for Architecture will donate the evening’s proceeds to disaster relief efforts through the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City.

Speakers:
Klaus Jacob - Geophysicist, Urban Environmental Disaster Expert, Columbia University (SIPA, EI/LDEO)
Rob Rogers, FAIA - Principal, Rogers Marvel Architects
Stephen Cassell, AIA, LEED AP - Principal, Co-Founder, Architecture Research Office (ARO)
Cynthia Barton - Disaster Housing Recovery Plan Manager, NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
Moderator: Michael Kimmelman - Chief Architecture Critic, The New York Times

Organized by: AIA New York and the Center for Architecture Foundation
Supported by: AIANY Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee (DfRR) and the AIANY Committee on the Environment (COTE)

Suggested Donation: $10
All contributions will be donated to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City to support Superstorm Sandy relief efforts. The Mayor’s Fund retains no administrative fee, and one hundred percent of donations are being dispersed to relief efforts and organizations. Funds will support immediate aid needs – including, food, water and hygiene supplies – as well as long-term relief and restoration.
RSVP

Architects Respond to a Call for Post-Sandy Aid

Here is a recent article from Architectural Record by Fred A. Bernstein.  The article discusses the DfRR co-chairs, Lance Jay Brown and Illya Azaroff,  recent efforts into helping architects obtain training for performing damaged building assessments Post-Sandy.



A house destroyed by Hurricane Sandy in the Far Rockaway neighborhood of Queens, NY.
Photo by Ian Reid



Architects and Engineers Needed for Post-Hurricane Building Evaluations

Dear AIA New York Members:

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, city, state, and federal agencies have formed a Disaster Housing Task Force ("Task Force"). This Task Force has asked architects and engineers to help with the evaluation of damage to the estimated 35,000 buildings affected by the storm. Damage assessment of these buildings is essential for families to return to their homes and for businesses to reopen.

AIA New York and its Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee ("DfRR") are therefore looking for registered architects and professional engineers interested in helping.

There are two ways you can become involved:

(1) If you are already trained or certified for such damage assessment by an approved agency, please send us your name, address, AIA member number, and date of certification, or;

(2) If, in order to help, you wish to receive damage assessment training through the New York City Department of Buildings ("NYC DOB"), please send us your name, address, and AIA member number.

Please send responses to dfrr@aiany.org. In your emails, indicate which way (1 or 2) you are interested in becoming involved.

AIA New York will then submit a list of interested professionals to the Mayor's Office and the NYC DOB to advance this effort.

Interested participants should note that training is the first step to becoming involved. AIA New York and DfRR will be working closely with governing officials and response organizers to address liability issues and identify the agencies for which volunteers will work.

Thank you for your interest and support of recovery efforts,

Lance Jay Brown, FAIA, and Illya Azaroff, AIA
Co-chairs, AIANY Design for Risk and Reconstruction Committee

 

Hurricane Sandy: Estimated Losses Now Up to $50 Billion

Economic damages inflicted by Hurricane Sandy could reach $50 billion, according to new estimates that are more than double a previous forecast. Some economists warned on Thursday that the storm could shave a half percentage point off the nation’s economic growth in the current quarter.

Mike Groll/Associated Press

Link:  New York Times Article

DFRR Desk Share for Displaced Architects & AIA Response to Hurricane Sandy

DFRR is reaching out to local architects who may have lost the use of their offices and those who may have space to share. If you have lost access to your work space or have a few desks to offer, please contact us at dfrr@aiany.org.

Additionally, AIA President Jeff Potter, FAIA, and the American Institute of Architects issued the following statement with regard to the assessment and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy’s impact:

To the many communities in Hurricane Sandy's path, members of the AIA and the AIA National Disaster Assistance Committee send our hopes for their safety. The AIA will work closely with our colleagues, as we have following other severe weather events, to assist local communities in their recovery efforts.

Through our network of chapters, we are beginning to assess the damage to communities in the Northeast region. Now that the storm is passing, we will formulate plans to assist architects there in evaluating the building damage caused by the storm and map a path to recovery.

Meanwhile, experienced disaster responders with the AIA have resources to help prepare architects for this important role. Visit our web page to get an overview of the AIA Disaster Response Program:  http://www.aia.org/disasterresponse.

A commitment to public service is a core value of our profession. We intend to live up to that value in the hours and days ahead as we prepare to assist the communities hit by Hurricane Sandy.” 

Anyone wishing to donate to the recovery effort should consider making a contribution to our partners, Architecture for Humanity www.architectureforhumanity.org. The AIA and Architecture for Humanity have a strategic partnership to coordinate advocacy, education, and training that helps architects make effective contributions to communities preparing for, responding to, and rebuilding after disaster.  

Post-Sandy Recovery: Power Failures & Flooding

Hurricane Sandy struck the tri-state area on October 29, 2012, leaving many dead, millions without power and/or water, and countless homes unoccupiable. Fires have been widespread, notably in Breezy Point, Queens, where 80-100 homes have been destroyed by fire during the storm.

Breezy Point, post-storm fires via Atlantic Wire/Photo: Frank Franklin II, AP)

Hurricane Sandy is on its way to being one of the most expensive disasters in history. Costs, expected in the billions, will come in the form of direct recovery expenses, such as the projected $8 million in damages to the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, NJ, as well as costs associated with the disruption to business and services. As of Tuesday morning, the Wall Street Journal reports that all four NYC area airports remain closed. Transit is disrupted throughout New York City and the tri-state area. New York public schools remain closed. The New York Stock Exchange will be closed until Wednesday, the first time since 1888 that the NYSE has closed two days in a row due to weather.

In a press conference appearance, Governor Cuomo said that New York is relatively well prepared for disasters, but that much of our infrastructure was designed without an understanding of  many of the current risks. Some argue that these risks are increasing. In an October 6, 2011 presentation to the DFRR Committee, Klaus Jacob, of Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory & School of International and Public Affairs, predicted that the economic impact of storms to the city may increase dramatically when future storm surges are compounded by climate change-related sea level rise.

The New York Times has extensive coverage of the Hurricane Sandy aftermath, including the spread of power failures in the Northeast:

via the New York Times

Hurricane Sandy Tri-State Area Evacuations and Shelters

Hurricane Sandy Evacuation Orders And Shelter Locations in the Tri-State Area via CBS Local

SUFFOLK COUNTY:

Road conditions in Suffolk County via the Suffolk News Herald

Babylon – Mandatory Evacuation Category 1 areas and trailer parks
Huntington – Voluntary Evacuation Category 1 areas
Islip – Mandatory Evacuation Category 1 areas, trailer parks and Fire Island
Smithtown – No Mandatory Evacuation, voluntary on Long Beach Road
Brookhaven (North Shore) – Mandatory Evacuation Category 1 and Category 2 areas
Brookhaven (South Shore) – Mandatory Evacuation Category 1 Areas, Voluntary Category 2 areas
Riverhead – Mandatory Evacuation Category 1 and trailer parks
South Hampton – Mandatory Evacuation Category 1, trailer parks and Dune Road
Southold – Mandatory Evacuation Category 1
East Hampton – Voluntary Evacuation Category 1
Shelter Island – Voluntary Evacuation Category 1
LINK: List Of Shelters
LINK: Map Of Shelters

NASSAU COUNTY:
Mandatory Evacuation of all residents living in a flood or storm surge zone. This area is defined as south of Sunrise Highway, from the Queens line to Rockville Centre and South of Merrick Road, from Rockville Centre to the Nassau-Suffolk border.
This Mandatory Evacuation also includes the residents on the north shore of Nassau County that reside in low-lying areas and storm surge zones. Low-lying are defined as 15 feet above sea-level or less.
LINK: List Of Shelters

WESTCHESTER COUNTY:
No mandatory evacuations at this time, but people in flood zones should consider voluntary evacuation
LINK: List Of Shelters

ROCKLAND COUNTY:
The following areas have been requested to evacuate due to the impending high winds, rain and tidal storm surge:
• Flood prone areas in the Village of Piermont
• Ba Mar Trailer Park, Grassy Point, and Beach Road in Stony Point.

NEW YORK CITY:

Closed Grand Central by MTA/Aaron Donovan via Gothamist

Mandatory evacuations in effect for residents living in Zone A which includes:
• Coney Island, Manhattan Beach and Red Hook and other areas along the East River in Brooklyn;
• All of the Rockaways, as well as Hamilton Beach and Broad Channel in Queens;
• Almost all of the coastline of Staten Island;
• City Island, a small patch of Throgg’s Neck, and another patch of the South Bronx in the Bronx;
• Battery Park City and stretches of the West Side waterfront and of the Lower East Side and East Village in Manhattan.
LINK: Map Of Zone A

LINK: List Of Shelters


NEW JERSEY:

ATLANTIC COUNTY:
A mandatory evacuation of the barrier islands is in effect that includes Brigantine, Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate and Longport.
LINK: List Of Shelters

CAPE MAY COUNTY:
Mandatory evacuation for residents of Barrier Islands and Bayside Communities.
LINK: List Of Shelters

CUMBERLAND COUNTY:
Evacuation is strongly recommended for county residents along the Delaware Bay, Greenwich, Fairfield, South West of Route 553 in Lawrence, Downe and Commercial Townships, as well as residents that live South West of Route 47 in Maurice River Township, South of Bricksboro.
LINK: List Of Shelters

HUDSON COUNTY:
A mandatory evacuation is in effect in Hoboken for ground floor apartments.
A mandatory evacuation is in effect in parts of Jersey City for residents ground floor apartments.
LINK: List Of Shelters

OCEAN COUNTY:
LINK: List Of Shelters

CONNECTICUT:

Branford, Connecticut during Hurricane Irene in 2011
via the Coast Guard Compass

Branford: Mandatory evacuations ordered for all coastal areas and areas along Branford River.
Bridgeport: Mandatory evacuations for certain areas. Also, a mandatory evacuation for the University of Bridgeport.
Darien: Mandatory evacuations of all coastal areas, including Noroton Bay, Tokeneke, Contentment Island, Five Mile River Road, Holly Pond, Delafield Island and Tokeneke in the vicinity of the Five Mile River.
East Haven: Mandatory evacuations for all areas within two blocks of shoreline.
Fairfield: Mandatory evacuations south of the Oldfield/Old Post Road.
Groton: Mandatory evacuations.
Greenwich: Mandatory evacuations for areas 1, 2, and 3 as identified on the town’s Sea, Lake and Overland Surges. These are generally low-lying areas such as Mill Pond in Cos Cob, areas near the coast of the Long Island Sound and Byram River.
Guilford: Mandatory evacuations for flood-prone regions.
Madison: Partial evacuations.
Milford: Mandatory evacuations for low-lying areas.
New Haven: Evacuations for flood-prone regions (Morris Cove south of Girard Street, Front Street, Haven Street in Fair Haven, between South Water Street and the highway in City Point) beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday. There is a recommended evacuation for low-lying areas of Blake Street.
New London: Partial evacuations.
Old Lyme: Mandatory evacuations.
Old Saybrook: Partial evacuations.
Stamford: Mandatory evacuations for certain areas.
Waterford: Voluntary evacuations recommended for all low-lying areas including Millstone, Ridgewood Park, Jordan Cove, Pleasure Beach, Smiths Cove, Niantic River, Golden Spur, and Oil Mill.
West Haven: Mandatory evacuations for everyone along Ocean Avenue and Captain Thomas on the beach side, everyone south of Park Street and everyone south of White Street from Peck to First Avenue.

NYC Hurricane Evacuation Map

NYC.gov has posted an interactive evacuation zone map with shelter locations. More information can be found at www.nyc.gov.

sample image via www.nyc.gov