New Bronx project to daylight Tibbetts Brook reduces sewer overflow and enhances green spaces

The City of New York held a meeting on May 8, 2025, focusing on nature-based solutions for climate resiliency and disaster preparedness. The discussions highlighted several key projects aimed at improving stormwater management and enhancing urban green spaces.

One significant development discussed was a new nine-story building covering an entire lot, which will incorporate a 6,000 square foot green roof as part of its stormwater management strategy. This initiative aligns with the city's updated stormwater regulations, moving away from traditional underground detention tanks to more sustainable solutions.

The meeting also featured an update on the Tibbetts Brook daylighting project in The Bronx, which is nearing design completion. This project aims to restore the natural flow of Tibbetts Brook, which has been diverted into a combined sewer system since the early 1900s. By daylighting the brook, the city expects to reduce combined sewer overflows to the Harlem River by 220 million gallons annually. Additionally, the project will create a new public greenway, enhancing connectivity between Van Cortlandt Park and West 230th Street as part of the Empire State Trail.

Another topic of discussion was cloudburst management systems, designed to handle sudden heavy rainfalls that can overwhelm the sewer system. These systems will capture stormwater until the sewers can manage the flow. An example provided was a cloudburst project at NYCHA's South Jamaica Houses, which features a sunken basketball court that will serve dual purposes: recreation on dry days and stormwater management during heavy rain events.

The meeting concluded with an emphasis on the importance of these nature-based solutions in addressing urban flooding and improving the city's resilience to climate change. The collaborative efforts with the Department of Parks and Recreation were also highlighted as essential to the success of these initiatives. Overall, the discussions underscored New York City's commitment to innovative and sustainable approaches to urban planning and disaster preparedness.