The conversation and coordination expanded in December and January as our 600-strong NYC Chapter stepped up to assist in community surveys and we meet with local officials to determine where we can make the largest impact.
Efforts are ramping up - we have secured a permanent office and have begun recruiting staff for project execution.
At present we have launched the following:
- Restore the Shore, Seaside Heights, NJ
- ReNew New Jersey / New York Schools
- Rebuild One Block, Rockaway, NY
Further Prospects for Seaside Heights
We've been working with the City of Seaside Heights identifying critical projects while the Sandy Aid package makes its way through Congress. The bill's passage would be a critical asset to reconstruction, but our conversations revolve around community assets that could easily be overlooked in the broader recovery.
As actions are being taken to get the Boardwalk rebuilt for the Summer, projects to benefit full-time Seaside Heights residents are being identified, as Mayor Bill Akers recently mentioned. We're excited to confirm these projects in the next couple weeks.
Community Surveys
Since November the New York City chapter has been collecting stories and needs of community members around New Jersey and New York States. To date, 11 neighborhoods have been assessed, with 60 surveys completed. Simultaneously the chapters are evaluating conditions of schools - identifying critical conditions, and building partnerships to reclaim spaces from the superstorm's destruction.
The surveyors will share their findings at the next NYC Chapter meeting on February 5th (7PM); experiences and next steps will both be discussed. Visit to the NYC Chapter page for more information.
Join our team
The first stage of long-term reconstruction is coming to a close. We have established a presence and base of operations in the New York / New Jersey area, and are now recruiting to grow our team and capacity as projects solidify and design gets into full swing through the rest of Winter.
Currently we are recruiting a full-time Regional Program Manager to carry the program through the long-term, and are also recruiting design fellows: one to coordinate Restore the Shore, our work in Seaside Heights, New Jersey; a second to coordinate ReNew York / New Jersey school reconstruction.
Special thanks to Seattle Chapter head Steve Dombrowski introduced us to his family in Seaside Heights and our first bungalow-based regional office.
Image by Shan Jayakumar
