Feds Will Give $4.4 Million to Replace Grand View Village Hall

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey today announced $4,888,354 in federal funding for the Village of Grand View-on-Hudson.

The funding will be allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and allow the village in Rockland County to replace the Village Hall building that was so damaged during Hurricane Sandy that it had to be condemned.

The FEMA grant will cover 90 percent of the costs incurred by the village to replace the facility and its contents, or $4,399,518.

During Sandy, the Village Hall had 18 inches of river water flow into its lowest floor. One of two decks was completely ripped off the building, windows broke from the wind, and the building twisted on its foundation. Temporary offices are in Piermont.

The new building will be raised out of the flood zone and moved closer to the road, instead of sitting directly over the Hudson River.

In fact, it is already available to rent for those planning ahead. On the website, village officials write: “It used to be a Yacht Club, scene of the classiest of weddings and events in the last century. After its repair (post Sandy) it will again be the Village Hall, scene of meetings, debates, Village Court, and, yes, big events--movie, TV, and commercial shoots, and celebrations on The Big Floor and The Grand Staircase. Some restrictions apply. Guidelines & Application to Rent.”

“The citizens of Grand View-on-Hudson are deeply grateful to FEMA for its commitment to helping us rebuild our Village Hall devastated by Hurricane Sandy,” said Mayor Larry Lynn. “We thank all of those who helped us secure this funding, first and foremost our great friends in Washington, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator Charles Schumer, and Rep. Nita Lowey for their diligent efforts on our behalf.

“More locally, we thank all our friends in Governor Cuomo’s office, County Executive Ed Day, Orangetown Supervisor Andy Stewart, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffe, State Senator David Carlucci, and County Legislator Nancy Low-Hogan for their support. The lion’s share of the work on this project was done by Village Trustee Catherine Whitney with the assistance of Doris Ulman, Village Attorney, and Julie Pagliaroli, Village Clerk-Treasurer. We could not have gotten this far without the efforts of this team.”

In a written statement, federal officials also said:

“A Village Hall is an important gathering place and symbol of any community, and it is excellent news that Grand View-on-Hudson will finally be able to replace theirs. I applaud FEMA for recognizing the importance of this project and providing Grand View-on-Hudson the funding it needs to rebuild its Village Hall, which was a victim of Hurricane Sandy’s wrath. The storm completely devastated the building, and this federal disaster assistance will go a long way in taking the cost burden of rebuilding off of taxpayers and reassuring local residents that the federal government will be there as they continue their recovery efforts,” said Senator Schumer.

“After Village Hall was severely damaged during Superstorm Sandy, I’m pleased to announce that Grand View-on-Hudson is finally getting this long overdue reimbursement from FEMA,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “I fought for this funding so that local taxpayers aren’t stuck footing the bill alone and I’ll continue to push for the resources our community needs to build back from Superstorm Sandy.”

“I’m pleased these federal funds finally arrived to assist Grand View-on-Hudson residents build their new Village Hall,” said Congresswoman Lowey. “These funds will reimburse the village for 90 percent of the costs incurred as a result of the storm, and will protect local taxpayers from having to pay for a new Village Hall. I fought hard to secure the $60 billion Sandy assistance package in Congress, and I will continue to work with communities affected by the storm to get the recovery assistance they need.”