Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Projects

Lake Ontario

REDI Commission

In response to the extended pattern of flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, then-Governor Cuomo created the Resiliency & Economic Development Initiative (REDI) to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region.

Five REDI regions, comprised of eight counties (Niagara and Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga and Oswego, and Jefferson and St. Lawrence) were established to identify local priorities, at-risk infrastructure and other assets, and public safety concerns.

Through REDI, the State has committed up to $300 million, to benefit communities and improve resiliency in flood prone regions along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

To identify projects, in Summer 2019, REDI organized 25 stakeholder and community meetings and workshops, convened 15 planning committee meetings, and directed NYS agency and engineering experts to evaluate 500+ projects proposed by communities.

In October 2019, regional projects were selected by the REDI Commission to help sustainably rebuild and enhance economic development in communities along the Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River shorelines.

The Wayne County Project Profiles provide a full overview of the projects chosen for Wayne County.

Wayne County Soil & Water Conservation District (WCSWCD) is has been working in collaboration with Wayne County as a general contractor to address shoreline resiliency needs for the Port Bay Barrier Bar System and the Blind Sodus Bay Bluff and Barrier Bar System. Crescent Beach is being facilitated by Wayne County Public Works Superintendent, Kevin Rooney.

Other Resources:
https://www.governor.ny.gov/programs/lake-ontario-resiliency-and-economic-development-initiative-redi

Port Bay

The Port Bay REDI project is nearing the end of the permitting stage and will be going out for bid in early 2026.

Eastern Barrier Bar

The Eastern Barrier Bar Project was completed in early 2025. The engineer for the project was Barton & Loguidice. The contractor was W.D. Malone.

First, and access road needed to be built, then thousands of loads of armor stone was laid restoring the barrier bar system and protecting the homes, boat access, and natural ecology of the area.

Click to view Story Board Blind Sodus Bay REDI Project

Western Barrier Bar

The Western Bluff Project was completed in 2023. The engineer for the project was MRB Group and the contractor was Martin's Custom Concrete. Over 20,000 tons of back fill was used as the bluff was reenforced to project the shoreline from further erosion.

Click to read the Story Board of the project.