“We had a good productive meeting with FEMA,” Schnirman said. “We expressed to them the urgency that we need our boardwalk back, the urgency of moving through the process s quickly and the overwhelming sentiments of our residents to build the boardwalk back with stronger materials. We echoed the sentiments of Sen. Schumer that we would like to see funding approved and expedited and cut through the red tape.”

Schnirman said that once LiRo’s plans are finalized, the city will submit them to FEMA. Schumer vowed to speak with FEMA administrator William Fugate and said that he is confident the agency will agree to fund the project.

“FEMA will give full consideration to hazard mitigation grant requests submitted by the state with the intent of rebuilding a stronger coastline,” said FEMA spokesman Carter Langston.

Nasser Samman, the general manager of the Allegria Hotel — which reopened in late November after it sustained significant flood damage — asked how long the project would take. Currently, the hotel is at 70 percent occupancy, but relies on the summer business, he said.

“My concern is not getting the boardwalk back in time for the summer season,” Samman said.

Schnirman said that it was too early to say how long the project would take, or if it would be completed by the summer.

“Until we choose the materials and actually put out a construction bid, we won’t have a firm timeline,” Schnirman said.

At the press conference, a few residents were less concerned with the boardwalk than they were about rebuilding their homes. West End resident Sam Kinsley asked Schumer whether funding for storm mitigation would eventually be made available to homeowners.

Schumer said that the $60 billion disaster-aid package for Hurricane Sandy victims includes Community Development Block Grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which he described as a “better” stream of funding than FEMA or flood insurance to help eligible residents rebuild.