NEW ROCHELLE, NY – After years of discussion and planning, the clean-up of Davids Island will soon begin.  Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland), who has spearheaded the effort to secure federal funds for the project, attended the groundbreaking on the island today, the site of a former Army post and Native American encampment.

“After so many years of study and planning, I am thrilled we are here today to break ground on this long-awaited clean-up.  As a former Army post, Davids Island contributed greatly to our communities for many years.  Now, it’s time to restore and preserve this treasure,” said Lowey.  “I’m proud to have secured the funding for this project, and I’ll continue to work to ensure that the job gets done.”

"I want to thank Rep. Lowey for her continued work to make this project a reality.  It has taken us many years to get this far, but I remain committed to this no matter how many additional years it takes. This property will be a wonderful open space for Westchester residents to enjoy for an even longer time," said Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano.

“We in New Rochelle look forward to a clean and open Davids Island.  We salute Congresswoman Lowey’s great efforts in securing funds toward that end,” said New Rochelle Mayor Tim Idoni.

“The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers looks forward to completing the Davids Island/Fort Slocum project, which will result in open space for future public use.  The cooperation among the City of New Rochelle, County of Westchester and the State of New York will be our foundation for success.  We will execute this project with respect to Fort Slocum’s military past and its bright future,” said Lieutenant Colonel Charles Klinge, Deputy Commander, U. S.  Army Corps of Engineers, New York District.

Davids Island is the former home of Native Americans and was used as grazing land by French settlers.  Military use of the island dates back to 1861, when it was the site of De Camp General Hospital.  Fort Slocum was first opened on the island after the Civil War.  Among its many uses over the years, the base operated as a recruitment station during World War I and maintained Cold War facilities up until its closure in the 1960s.  Davids Island has been unused since the base’s closing and is littered with refuse and dilapidated buildings from its time as a military site.

Over the last two years, Lowey has secured $4.1 million in federal funding to prepare for and begin the clean-up of Davids Island.  The funding was approved through the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) in the Fiscal Year 2004 and 2005 Department of Defense spending bills.  The OEA assists communities that are impacted by Defense program changes, including base closures or realignments, base expansions, and contract or program cancellations.  In May of this year, the House of Representatives passed the FY06 Department of Defense Appropriations legislation, which contains an additional $5 million in OEA funds for the project and is awaiting action in the Senate.

Today’s groundbreaking marks the start of the physical work on the island after years of planning and preparation.  The Army Corps of Engineers will begin with site tests to investigate archeological significance.  The Corps will then begin to remove some of the decrepit, non-historic buildings on the island.

“This is just the first step in a long road to completing the clean-up of Davids Island.  I will continue to work with local officials and the Army Corps of Engineers to secure the funds needed so that our community can finally enjoy the untapped potential of Davids Island,” said Lowey.