Rockaway Residents Wait For Boardwalk Repairs Nearly A Year After Sandy
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- As the first anniversary of Superstorm Sandy approaches many of the region's boardwalks have been rebuilt.
But, the boardwalk in Rockaway, Queens is still waiting for repairs, CBS 2's John Slattery reported.
The popular outdoor spot was far from being rebuilt when CBS 2's cameras stopped by on Wednesday and residents were disappointed.
"I'm a little hurt by it," Branden Baskin said, "You try to be patient but there's only so much you can put up with. It's been a year."
The 5-and-a-half mile long structure is the longest boardwalk in the city. It dates back 100 years. Some of it survived the storm but getting it rebuilt has been a slow process.
"We're okay with it not being done for this summer because we didn't want it rushed," said Community Board 14 Chair, Dolores Orr.
The planning for the project has involved the Parks Department and the Army Corps of Engineers. The city has demanded that the new boardwalk not be made out of wood.
"It's gonna be concrete," Orr said.
The mayor insisted on concrete and said that it would be foolish to do otherwise. The new boardwalk will be several feet taller, sand replenishment will go out 200-ft farther, and a retaining wall will be built to keep the sand and the surf at bay.
The process has taken longer than many people expected but those involved in the project hope that what is built will last.
Construction is expected to begin in the winter. Rebuilding Rockaway Beach is estimated to cost $200-million.
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