City Council approves $1.15 million FEMA BRIC grant for Christopher Columbus Park improvements
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Summary
Council suspended the rules and unanimously passed docket 0131 to accept and expend $1,150,000 from FEMA’s BRIC program for climate-resilience improvements at Christopher Columbus Park and Long Wharf; sponsors stressed urgency to secure federal funds.
The Boston City Council on (Document 0131) voted to accept and expend $1,150,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program for resilience improvements at Christopher Columbus Park and Long Wharf in downtown Boston. Councilor Colette Zapata, the sponsor, said the money must be accepted urgently to avoid federal clawbacks and to help protect waterfront infrastructure vulnerable to flooding.
"These federal dollars should be accepted into our city coffers before they're at risk of being clawed back," Councilor Colette Zapata said, urging colleagues to suspend the rules and pass the order. Councilor Flynn noted that parts of the Wharf District are included and said he supported the motion.
The chair called for suspension and passage of docket 0131; the council voted by voice and the clerk announced the docket had passed. The item will be processed through the Committee of the Whole for appropriation and implementation under the Public Facilities Department on behalf of Boston Public Schools for the relevant work.
Funding details read into the record state the grant award supports coastal resilience projects in Christopher Columbus Park and Long Wharf and is administered through the Parks and Recreation Department. Staff noted the city may be eligible for matching or follow-on grants from the Massachusetts School Building Authority and other state programs where applicable.
