Lentol announces $1.5 million grant for 1.4 acre green roof

January 24, 2019 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Photo courtesy of Assemblymember Joe Lentol's office

Share this:

Assemblyman Joe Lentol (D-North Brooklyn) announced on Thursday the award of $1.5 million in a New York State grant to Broadway Stages, Ltd. They will be funding and partnering with Alive Structures for the creation of green rooftops, totaling 1.4 acres, on three of their sound stages in Greenpoint.

The rooftops, owned by Broadway Stages, will provide a wide range of benefits, ranging from stormwater capture to air pollution reduction. The grant was provided by New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation’s (EFC) Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP). Broadway Stages partnered with Alive Structures, the New York City Audubon and Newtown Creek Alliance on the Kingsland Wildflowers project, which was initially funded through the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund.

“Kingsland Wildflowers at Broadway Stages was a great success and is the perfect example that shows the potential of this project,” said Lentol. “I am very excited that this grant funded such a great project right here in Greenpoint. It will add green space, improve the environment and provide a natural habitat for countless beneficial insects and birds.”

The GIGP provides $15 million in funding across New York State for unique stormwater infrastructure design and cutting-edge green technology projects. GIGP solicits grant applications for projects that improve water quality and demonstrate green stormwater infrastructure in New York State.

“The green roofs have the potential to remove the emissions equivalent of over 40,000 cars per year,” he added. “Congratulations to Broadway Stages and Alive Structures.”

Assemblymember Joe Lentol. Photo courtesy of Lentol’s office

“Environmental Facilities Corporation’s $1.5 million grant for this green rooftop project is proof of New York’s ongoing commitment to encouraging municipalities to find innovative ways to use green infrastructure to reduce pollution caused by stormwater and safeguard our natural resources,” said Sabrina Ty, CEO and President of NYS EFC. “In addition to being a cost-effective method to collect debris, chemicals, sediment, and other pollutants that could end up in nearby waterbodies, green infrastructure projects like this green rooftop reduce air pollution and improve our quality of life.”

“Broadway Stages is thrilled to have been chosen in cooperation with Alive Structures for this prestigious grant,” said Gina Argento, President and CEO of Broadway Stages. “Our commitment to community and environmental sustainability is a cornerstone of our business philosophy. Through green infrastructure and renewable energy projects such as Kingsland Wildflowers at Broadway Stages, Eagle Street Rooftop Farm, and our solar rooftop that spans 50,000 square feet, we are able to utilize our sound stages in a way that brings mutual value to our operations, our environment and our community. We are excited to embark on this green roof garden project and continuing to do our part to contribute to the health of our environment.”

Green infrastructure practices treat rainwater as a valuable resource to be harvested and used on site or filtered and allowed to soak back into the ground, recharging aquifers, rivers, and streams. The plants used in green infrastructure help to cool our surroundings and improve air quality through the process of evapotranspiration. These green practices have multiple benefits, which include restoring habitat, protecting against flooding, providing cleaner air, and beautifying our streets to spur economic development and community revitalization.

“Alive Structures is grateful to the Environmental Facilities Corporation for this grant and we look forward to continuing our constructive relationship with Broadway Stages in greening our neighborhood,” said Marni Majorelle, founder of Alive Structures. “We also want to thank Joe Lentol’s office for supporting this project, which will allow us to develop a green corridor in the industrial section of Greenpoint. The first 60,000 square feet of green roofs funded by this grant is just the beginning. We envision acres of meadows stretching over several industrial rooftops, creating a unique and ecologically important green corridor in Brooklyn. These roofs will not only be beautiful natural areas, but also provide important services such as mitigating air and water pollution, reducing energy consumption, and creating jobs and educational opportunities. We hope this grant will raise awareness of the importance of green roofs and how necessary they are for New York City’s future.”