Stormwater is rain that falls on the ground and runs off to nearby storm drains. Cloudburst is a term to describe very intense rain that falls for a short time. Stormwater and Cloudburst Management are engineered systems to absorb, store, or convey the stormwater that runs off before flooding buildings. This Project will construct Stormwater and Cloudburst Management throughout Breukelen.

This Project will benefit the residents of Breukelen and the Operations and Maintenance Staff by preventing flooding of your buildings, parking lots, walkways, and recreational spaces. The NYC Housing Authority has contracted a team of Engineers, Architects, and Design Professionals to design the Cloudburst Management. They present engineered solutions to NYCHA staff and your Breukelen Operations and Maintenance staff to provide technical review and feedback. You also have the opportunity to provide your opinions of this Project. Please complete the survey located here [INSERT HYPERLINK], attend the tabling events shown on the website calendar [INSERT HYPERLINK], and consider joining an upcoming design workshop [INSERT HYPERLINK].

The Project is being funded mostly by a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant, with a smaller contribution being made with NYC Housing Authority Capital funds.

Cloudburst Management includes above ground and below ground storage systems for stormwater. Above ground storage systems will be designed to be visually pleasant while serving a functional purpose. These often look like shallow depressions with planting as shown in the image gallery [INSERT HYPERLINK]. Basketball courts will also be depressed to hold flood water during very extreme storm events like Superstorm Sandy. The basketball courts will be designed to drain within 48-hours to allow the community to use them again. Raised walkways may also be constructed to direct flood water away from your buildings and provide new walking paths through the site. Any playgrounds or other recreational spaces impacted by the Project will be replaced with a similar amenity or with a different amenity if a significant portion of the community provides positive feedback for another amenity.

Unfortunately, the funding source for this Project is specifically intended to prevent building damages from flooding at Breukelen. Other issues within your building or unit are being addressed through the normal process with your Operations and Maintenance Staff.

The project is currently in [planning/design] phase. Updates on timelines will be shared as they become available. [link]

Yes. By improving drainage and reducing standing water, the project will help minimize conditions that attract mosquitoes and other pests.

No direct work is expected inside individual apartments. If temporary service disruptions are necessary, residents will be notified in advance.

Access to Buildings may be modified during construction. Playgrounds, Basketball Courts, and Open Spaces may be temporarily inaccessible. NYCHA will provide traffic control during construction. Some parking spaces may be temporarily unavailable. Specific information regarding schedule and impacts will be posted at your building.

During large rain events, this Project will divert water away from your building through a series of pipes or surface features, and temporarily hold the water within sunken basketball courts, or other shallow depressions specifically designed to collect and hold water. The courts should drain in a few hours, or up to a couple days during very severe events, and then be available again for recreational use. Pipes may be installed to allow the water to be released in a controlled fashion into the NYC stormwater system.

Streetlights around the site may be replaced, some walkways and landscaping repaved, and site drainage addressed.

The contractor will have specific requirements to manage stormwater during construction.

NYCHA will be responsible for maintenance of the Cloudburst Management features.

Yes. The site will be split into zones to minimize disruption to the community.

Updates will be regularly posted on this website. Announcements and community meetings will be scheduled throughout the project, and you can also speak with your Tenant Association representatives for more information.