Red Hook Case Study
In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, Red Hook became a focal point for innovative climate resiliency planning. Grain played a central role in two major flood protection efforts—supporting technical studies and leading robust community engagement to ensure that infrastructure investments were aligned with neighborhood needs. Across both projects, Grain translated complex data into accessible formats, built partnerships with local organizations, and created space for residents to shape the future of their waterfront community.
Red Hook Integrated Flood Protection Study
Grain led community outreach and provided urban design and planning support for the $100M Red Hook Integrated Flood Protection System (IFPS) feasibility study as part of an interdisciplinary team led by Dewberry. Through focus groups, public meetings, and on-the-ground tabling sessions, Grain ensured community voices shaped the proposals—advocating for public services and amenities alongside critical climate infrastructure.
The findings from the year-long technical analysis and community outreach were compiled into the Red Hook Integrated Flood Protection System (IFPS) report, which laid the groundwork for the Red Hook Coastal Resiliency Project.
Red Hook Coastal Resiliency (RHCR)
Leveraging past community relationships, Grain conducted a robust engagement process virtually and in-person, which included large-format community forums, one-on-one meetings with community leaders and partnerships with local schools and community-based organizations. Grain designed and distributed a suite of online and printed materials that made the complex technical and scientific data accessible, ensuring a broad audience could participate in the conversation. Our flexible approach was essential during the project’s adaptation to the early days of COVID-19. By involving community narratives in an infrastructure process, our work enabled urban design improvements to the area and the protection of the community from future floods.
