Today, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that they secured $1,007,341.99 in federal funding for the City of Rome for repairs to Pinti Field Park, which was damaged by flood waters during Tropical Storm Fred in August of 2021. Immediately following the storm, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand successfully lobbied President Biden to approve a major disaster declaration in Upstate New York. This declaration unlocked millions in federal funding for the region. This funding will help pay for to Pinti Field Park’s playground, bocce court, fishing pier, and parking lot, as well as hazard mitigation against future similar damages by paying for the installation of stone armor and rock vanes.
“Tropical Storm Fred ravaged the Mohawk Valley, including the beloved Pinti Field Park in Rome. Now, thanks to the Major Disaster Declaration we secured, federal funding is flowing to the City of Rome to help restore this beautiful park,” said Senator Schumer. “This will help Rome build the park back stronger than before with enhanced flood mitigation, a new dock, playground and much more so Pinti Field can once again serve as place for families and children to play and gather. I will keep fighting to make sure the Mohawk Valley and all impacted communities have the resources they need to recover from this devastating flood.”
“When the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred hit Upstate New York, I called on President Biden to allow federal funding to flow to the area immediately,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Now, I’m proud to announce that I’ve secured over $1 million to help Rome repair and revitalize one of its most beloved parks. This money will also help make resiliency upgrades to ensure that Pinti Field Park can withstand future extreme weather events. I am committed to making sure all impacted communities make a full recovery from Tropical Storm Fred, and I will keep fighting for federal resources to make that happen.”
“The City of Rome would like to thank our federal elected officials and agency partners for their assistance in securing $1.12 million in funding to repair damage to Pinti Field sustained during the flood event in August of 2021 caused by Tropical Storm Fred. Thanks to this funding, Pinti Field will be restored to pre-disaster conditions, and new stone armoring installed along the bank of the Mohawk River will build resiliency to the park to prevent damage from future extreme weather events for the community of Rome. Pinti Field is one of Rome’s largest and most utilized public park facilities, and the restoration of the park is an important step forward to healing from the superstorm,” said Rome Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan.
Washington DC January 5, 2024
SOURCE: schumer.senate.gov – Midtown Tribune news