Serrano, Crowley Secure $4.5 Million in Orchard Beach Funding

Press Release

Serrano, Crowley Secure $4.5 Million in Orchard Beach Funding

July 19, 2007 - Today, Representatives José E. Serrano (NY-16) and Joseph Crowley (NY-7) announced that they had secured $4.5 million in federal funding for the Orchard Beach shore protection project in the Bronx. The funding was contained in the FY 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which the House passed on July 17th.

"The people of the Bronx deserve a functional and expansive Orchard Beach, as it was envisioned by its creators decades ago, when it was called the Riviera of the Bronx," said Congressman Serrano, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. "With the funds that my friend Joe Crowley and I were able to secure, Orchard Beach will be restored to its former glory. The Bronx has always been underserved when it comes to recreation opportunities. We are turning that around one project at a time. I look forward to using the new, refurbished Orchard Beach in coming summers alongside other Bronxites."

"A recent report has confirmed what Bronx families already know, that Orchard Beach needs to be cleaned up and restored to live up to its former glory as a welcome summer destination," said Congressman Crowley. "With this $4.5 million in federal funds that Rep. Serrano and I were able to secure, Orchard Beach will receive these improvements - its shores will be expanded and sand replenished - so it can accommodate more recreational use and be preserved for future generations of Bronx residents."

Serrano and Crowley have secured multiple grants for the Orchard Beach project in past appropriations bills. Orchard Beach had experienced severe erosion, which reduced the size of the beach and caused overcrowding.

The Serrano/Crowley project will restore and stabilize the beach, ensuring that the popular facility is available for generations of Bronx residents to come.

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