As much as it might make sense in some areas, it’s hard to abandon rebuilding on these coastal communities. From areas like Breezy Point in Queens to Seaside Heights on the Jersey Shore, these iconic places are so a part of the lives of the people that live and visit there. I think each of these areas need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to see if building storm preventions makes sense, such as sea walls or park space in an effort to create a barrier against flooding. These areas are part of what make the East Coast so beautiful and to me, it’s worth exploring every available option to try and preserve it.

Just one week after Mayor Bloomberg laid out his vision for the City post-Sandy, a top Obama administration official offers a different plan. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Shaun Donovan, today said while most places hit hard by Sandy can be rebuilt with smart mitigation measures, it may not be the best decision in other areas. While visiting the City today, Donovan said there will be a small share of communities where it may not make sense to rebuild at all.

This, of course, differs significantly from Mayor Bloomberg’s remarks to rebuild the City and the waterfront. The Housing Secretary today also added that all storm protection ideas need to be on the table, including sea barriers. The Mayor has shown no interest in constructing a sea wall and added today, “We’re not going to build a barrier and keep us away from the water.”

What’s your reaction to these differing visions for rebuilding the City? Would you like officials to consider the construction of a sea wall? Do you think it’s wise to abandon rebuilding in some storm-hit areas? What do you make of the recovery effort so far?

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They need a storm wall and quite frankly technically it's no longer any of his business. Just like everyone of us suspected he will use the money collected as he sees fit to do and he will build a million dollar waterfront complexes that will no longer be able to house us tax paying citizens. When he says us we all are not included, that's for sure. He knew about this threat of east coast storms because it was on his watch for o so many years now. He wants his hands on everything and tell me what happened to ground zero. He does not own the world and meanwhile he is just passing threw and will be on to his Island and who even knows how many houses he owns. So back off and leave now because these poor people that have lost everything are not even being considered.

Maxxiee
Morris Park

There should be flood walls. But they should be in sections and on rails that would permit them to be moved into place and connected when necessary.

Joe
Port Richmond

I don't know where to begin! Ok, #1, the recovery effort so far, in a word ABOMINABAL! Seems everyone is waiting, waiting, waiting FEMA doesn't intercede until your insurance company fulfils its obligation which in my case has now been 6 weeks, and we filed immediately. Governor Cuomo issued an executive order to insurance companies but I didn't hear of any penalties attached to it, so we waited some more. #2, Hey Mr. Donovan we manage just fine without you, thanks but no thanks, if a homeowners insurance company approves the repair costs and the homeowner can afford to completely rebuild smarter & sturdier without his insurance being canceled that's their business. #3, Mayor Bloomberg do You (or your genius troubleshooters) not have ANY imagination? A sea barrier doesn't NEED to block people from the water it can be used to enhance the experience, building concrete walls with observation decks instead of wood boardwalks with stair & ramp access points.

Terry
Hamilton Beach

Protecting homes in coastal communities:

Smartest thing would be to build all new homes that are designed to float on lightweight plastic foundation system. Houses are held laterally in place by sliding up and down on steel pipes driven at least 30 feet into the gravelly soil.

Existing homes are doomed, an option would be to jack existing structures up and put them on timber piers if possible.(Extremely expensive and extremely impractical). Otherwise owners can invest in concrete or steel walls put around their homes.

Should storm ravaged areas be rebuilt?

Yes. The government can warn the people that their homes will be destroyed and likely there will be another storm soon. As long as the people have consented to not hold the jurisdiction liable for their property damage and misfortune due to mother nature, the gov't should have clean hands. The smart answer for 99% of population is you are crazy to rebuild.

Let the people figure it out themselves, the people who rebuild need to because they can't afford to get a new home and refuse to take on such a huge burden of being forced from their homes(terrible), or believe they can truly outlast future storms.

Government should not control the choice.

I voted for Obama.

Nate
East Harlem

Here we go...we knew this was coming. The government telling homeowners that they can"t rebuild their homes; and the Secretary of Housing & Urban Development doesn't bother to speak the the people who live there. Where does HUD suggest our neighbors move to?

There is something very wrong in this country....Americans are seemingly williing to give up democracy and the privleges it affords us in lieu of socialism. It could be that the government wants to take back private waterfront properties for its own use.

I believe that we will rebuild these seaside communities with homes that are built to better withstand storm-forces.

John, we know it's Washington not wanting to spend money in the United States supporting hard-working tax paying American citizens. It's really disgusting.

Kate
Midtown East

I agree with rebuilding areas devastated by hurricane Sandy, who would want to give up living by the water? I would do anything to have that privilege

Is it smart to stand in a crosswalk against a red light? Hello? Rebuild further inland.

Jimmy
The Bronx

Some of these homes were the product of poor planning if not even illegal in areas like Broad Channel. If a home was poorly built on a street that is too low maybe it shouldn't be replaced. Wasnt this area originally owned by the City?

Frank
Queens

I attended the MAS and CURE. Conference today and while it was interesting and informative, it was also obvious that there is no plan in place. If another superstorm hit again tomorrow or god forbid a hurricane, we would be totally vulnerable.

I understand the importance of implementing a well researched plan but we need to begin the research and learn from other cities who deal with these issues. Now is not the time to recreate the wheel, it's the time to implement it.

Lauren

Arverne by the Sea (on the Rockaway Peninsula) was spared the brunt of Hurricane Sandy's wrath, and I believe this can be attributed to the presence of rock jetties along that part of the shoreline. I think it behooves our city to invest in the construction of rock jetties to protect all of our coastal communities from future hurricanes.

Regina
Forest Hills