On April 19th 2022, NYC Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala announced the opening of a new rooftop farm on Staten Island.
Made possible through a $670,000 grant funded through the DEP’s Green Infrastructure Grant Program, this rooftop farm will be used primarily to grow organic food and absorb the approximately 3.5 million gallons of yearly rainfall Staten Island receives in order to help reduce the possibility of neighborhood flooding.
Today, a big #EarthWeek #GreenInfrastructure announcement: Chief Climate Officer @Rit_Aggarwala joins @NYCMayor to open a rooftop farm #onStatenIsland! https://t.co/lAJKIN8rmF pic.twitter.com/UKvSXORtKZ
— NYC Water (@NYCWater) April 19, 2022
On this 32,000-square-foot roof atop the Nicotra Group’s Corporate Commons Three building you’ll find perennial wildflowers and organic vegetables to help improve air quality, promote biodiversity, and reduce the building’s carbon footprint.
Mayor Adams states, “Too often, we ignore the role that food plays in the destruction of our environment. But shifting to more sustainable, plant-based diets and growing fresh vegetables that are accessible to every community is key to building a city that supports both human and planetary health. Our investment in this rooftop farm embodies the future of sustainable agriculture and resiliency by serving those in the neighborhood, and by absorbing stormwater and protecting New York Harbor, and it will deliver a healthier and more resilient future for generations to come.”
“Rooftop farms like this new one on Staten Island is only just the beginning, as we look to bring more innovative, resilient ideas to fruition in our city’s infrastructure,” added Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi.
A rooftop farm is definitely a welcomed sight in a city lovingly dubbed the “Concrete Jungle!”