$1B reconstruction of Coney Island boardwalk moves forward
Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr
New York City is seeking a design team to lead the $1 billion reconstruction of Coney Island’s iconic Riegelmann Boardwalk. The city’s Economic Development Corporation and Department of Parks on Wednesday released a request for qualifications (RFQ) seeking a “progressive design-build team” to oversee the full reconstruction of the landmarked boardwalk, a project first announced in December. The project will reconstruct the 2.7-mile boardwalk, replace utilities and structural piles, and elevate portions of it.
At 102 years old, the Riegelmann Boardwalk shows clear signs of deterioration, as accumulated sand, water, and weeds have caused its wooden decking to rot. Many sections have uplifted decking and loose screws, requiring daily maintenance by carpenters. The approach has proven unsustainable, as ongoing repairs have addressed only about 1 percent of the boardwalk.
Underneath the boardwalk, cracked support beams and concrete piles are visible, while large gaps in many areas allow sand and water to flow into the surrounding neighborhood.
Carried out in multiple phases over several years, the reconstruction project would repair all piles, pile caps, and the decking system while incorporating flood-resilience measures to protect Coney Island and Brighton Beach, including raising certain sections of the boardwalk.
Accessibility is also a central part of the project. In partnership with NYCEDC, NYC Parks will create new access points by converting outdated street-end entrances, some of which are not up to code, into ADA-compliant ramps and plazas.
The project also includes renovating more than a dozen buildings along the boardwalk, including lifeguard quarters, public bathrooms, shade pavilions, and a garage. It complements the separate $42 million renovation of the Abe Stark Sports Center, which will upgrade the ice-skating facility and create a new entrance and signage along the boardwalk.
“We’re excited to kick off the process of rebuilding the iconic Riegelmann Boardwalk, with an approach that brings the city, designers, builders, and the Coney Island community to the table from day one to shape this vision together,” Anthony Shorris, president and CEO of NYCEDC, said.
Previous boardwalk reconstruction efforts followed Hurricane Sandy in 2012, when a five-block section was rebuilt using plastic and concrete. Parks is currently reconstructing another three blocks between West 24th and West 27th Streets, as 6sqft previously reported.
Under the progressive design-build model, the city selects a single team to handle both design and construction. The approach allows the design to evolve in collaboration with the city and community, while costs and the project schedule are refined as the design advances.
Qualified teams are encouraged to demonstrate experience of delivering large-scale, complex waterfront infrastructure. After reviewing, NYCEDC will issue a request for proposals to a shortlist of qualified teams this winter, with a team expected to be selected in spring 2027.
NYCEDC will host an optional hybrid informational session on Friday, October 9, at 10 a.m. on the 14th floor of One Liberty Plaza in the Financial District and online. Those interested in attending should RSVP by Wednesday, October 7, at 5 p.m.
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