[Office of the Mayor] Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Carter Strickland awarded $4.6 million in grants to community-based green infrastructure projects that will improve the water quality of New York Harbor by reducing combined sewer overflows, according to a April 21 press release.

The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew is located in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, within the East River watershed, received a $289,698 project grant.

Multiple green infrastructure installations are proposed, including rain gardens that will collect water from disconnected roof leaders and permeable pavement near the church entry and rear driveway, as part of the church’s project, according to the release.

“The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew is thrilled to move forward with our green infrastructure project made possible by generous funding from the DEP,” said the Reverend Michael Sniffen, in the release. “We are confident that this project will become a model for other faith communities and non-profits working to green their neighborhoods and educate Brooklynites about the need for direct action to protect our urban environment.”

Read the full press release, including a list of all the projects that received grants, from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office here.

In July 2011, the City of New York chose the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew as the site to launch “Change by Us NYC,” a website aimed at connecting people and making the city a “greener, greater” place to live.