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A Year After Sandy, Some Work In Sound Shore Still Incomplete

RYE, N.Y. -- Much of the cleanup in the Sound Shore towns has been completed since Hurricane Sandy hit a year ago, but there is still some work that remains to be done.

Hurricane Sandy destroyed large portions of the boardwalk at Rye Playland, where some work still needs to be completed.

Hurricane Sandy destroyed large portions of the boardwalk at Rye Playland, where some work still needs to be completed.

Photo Credit: The Daily Voice File Photo

Rye Playland sustained heavy damage from the storm. Trees were knocked down, metal fences were bent and broken by strong winds, and concrete slabs were thrown around the park. Chunks of wood were taken out of the boardwalk, and the north boardwalk adjacent to the park was completely destroyed. The total cost of all damage to the park was approximately $20 million, according to county spokesperson Diana Costello.

The Ice Casino also suffered extensively. The roof saw heavy damage and needs to be replaced, and several feet of water flooded the basement, requiring new boilers and other structural work.

The county worked to repair as much of the damage as possible so that the park would be ready to open in May. Crews from Titan Construction worked around the clock to repair the boardwalk, replacing about 13,000 square feet of wood at a cost of around $2 million. The boardwalk was able to open ahead of schedule in May.

The Ice Casino has also stayed closed since the storm hit. Work on repairing the roof is expected to start shortly, according to Costello. The $4.1 million roof replacement project will be undertaken by Milcon Construction Group, and is in the staging process now. The project is expected to be finished in the spring. 

The nearby Town of Rye also suffered heavy damage to Rye Town Park and Crawford Park, requiring around $1.2 million worth of repairs. One aspect that has not yet been repaired is the sea wall at the beach at Rye Town Park, which was completely destroyed. The Town and the City of Rye have been coordinating with FEMA to begin work on that project, according to Rye Town Secretary Bishop Nowotnik. The project will cost the Town of Rye approximately $324,000 and the City of Rye $206,000, though much of that will be reimbursed by FEMA after the project is completed.

The City of Rye will handle the bidding and contracting for the project, according to Nowotnik. One reason that the project has taken so long is because FEMA insisted that the wall be built stronger and more resistant to water. FEMA also determined that the semicircular viewing area that juts out onto the beach is of a significant historical value, and it should be rebuilt the way it was built in 1907.

 

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