NEW YORK, NY — The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), NYC Health + Hospitals, Gilbane Building Company, and community stakeholders recently celebrated the ribbon cutting of a new flood protection system at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan in East Harlem. The Metropolitan Hospital Flood Wall 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 flood wall 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,” NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball said. “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 health care 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 Julian S. John, NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan CEO. “As a part of the largest municipal health care 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 flood wall 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.”
This innovative flood wall 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 funded the $112 million project, which includes the construction of a perimeter flood wall and an upgraded storm water detention system.
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“We’re proud to have partnered with NYC Health + Hospitals and NYCEDC on this important resiliency project, which will ensure continuity of care for New Yorkers,” said John Anderson, III, Project Executive, Gilbane Building Company. “Safeguarding our health care infrastructure through climate change is critically important to our city. Gilbane is honored to have delivered these much-needed upgrades on schedule and under budget, exceeding minority and women-owned business participation goals while protecting the hospital from future storm surges.”
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. NYC Health + Hospitals and NYCEDC have incorporated artwork into the design of the flood wall. 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.
“As long-term partners with NYC Health + Hospitals and NYCEDC, we’re honored to work together on enhancing patient care for the community,” said Andrew Eckl, CCM, CHC, 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.”
