With Rep. Carolyn Maloney on Monday to announce a quest for seawall funding were, left to right: From RIRA, Sherie Helstien, Margie Smith, and Matthew Katz; from RIOC, Steve Shane; Maloney; State Assembly candidate Micah Kellner; City Councilmember Jessica Lappin. In the far background is Deputy Public Safety Chief René Bryan.

Comparing Roosevelt Island’s seawall to a fence that can make a good neighbor of the East River, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney came here Monday to announce a push for Federal funding for work on the seawall.

"We are announcing an effort to secure $10 million in Federal funds to repair, rehabilitate, and – where necessary – replace the seawall," Maloney said, sharing the moment with City Councilmember Jessica Lappin, Assembly candidate Micah Kellner, RIOC President Steve Shane, and representatives of the Residents Association: President Matthew Katz, Secretary Sherie Helstien, and Margie Smith, who represents Rivercross and chairs RIRA’s Government Relations Committee.

Maloney praised Shane for leading the RIOC staff in completing the application for Federal funds in just 24 hours. "Those of us familiar with government agencies can tell you that is the bureaucratic equivalent of breaking the sound barrier."

Maloney and company gathered at Lighthouse Park, near where a barge struck the seawall two years ago, damaging it. That area is now fenced off. Shane said that an RFP (Request for Proposals) is out with a return date later this month, and he expects the work to begin this summer, using the proceeds of a $400,000 insurance settlement.

Seawall damage accumulates all year, but each Spring reveals new ravages of winter in weakened areas such as joints between concrete sections. In the past, promenade sidewalks have collapsed after East River waters undermined them, washing out rocks and gravel meant to be protected by the seawall structure.

The seawall turned Roosevelt Island’s shores into a squared-off promenade everywhere north of Southpoint Park, topped with a barrier to make it safe for everyone, including children. A half-century ago, the Island was rounded and, in many places, it was possible to walk down to the water and touch it. Even today, at Southpoint Park, there is no promenande, and only fences keep strollers away from the water.

But the structure of the seawall is under constant threat from the whipsaw effect of the East River’s tidal flows, which can undermine the promenade when decay allows moving water to get at the fill under the promenade sidewalk. There have been collapses. A great potential problem would be a breaching of the seawall that could send water flowing into the subway station, most of which is below water level.

Over the years, seawall repairs have been done by a variety of contractors, and their techniques have not always been consistent. As a result, the condition of the seawall varies greatly. The funding Maloney is seeking could go a long way toward bringing deficient sections up to a common standard.