Dewberry to design Brooklyn flood protection systems

Fairfax, Va. — Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, was selected to provide resilience design services for the repair of extensive flood-related damage to the Brooklyn Army and Bush Terminals in Brooklyn, N.Y. The New York City Economic Development Corporation project is being funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a part of ongoing Superstorm Sandy restoration efforts.

Dewberry will provide design services to include civil, environmental, structural, geotechnical, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering; land surveying and permitting; topographic and utility surveys; landscape architecture; historic preservation; community outreach; sustainable and environmental initiatives; and hazard mitigation.

The Brooklyn Army Terminal is a 97-acre facility that has been redeveloped as a cultural venue and passenger ferry landing for waterway taxis.  Designed by Cass Gilbert, the building opened in 1919 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The terminal is located within a mapped flood zone and the new design will protect the 1,200 linear feet of waterfront from rising sea levels and flood surge.

The Bush Terminal, also known as Industry City, dates to the late 1800s. Resilience improvement plans for the 40-acre, waterfront industrial campus include developing site drainage, flood barriers, modifying pavements and upgrading storm sewer systems to prevent damage and erosion. These designs will align with “A Stronger, More Resilient New York” initiative for rebuilding communities impacted by Superstorm Sandy.