In response to the 2019 Lower Manhattan Climate Resilience Study, in December 2021, the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and Mayor’s Office of Climate Resiliency (MOCR) released the Financial District and Seaport Climate Resilience Master Plan, a “blueprint for comprehensive flood defense infrastructure to protect Lower Manhattan from the urgent threat of climate change,” including rising sea levels and coastal storms. Developed after months of engagement with community members and with local stakeholders through the Climate Coalition for Lower Manhattan, the Plan is projected to cost $5-7 billion and to take 15-20 years to complete. 

The Plan’s concept design envisions a multilevel waterfront that extends the shoreline of the East River between The Battery and the Brooklyn Bridge by up to 200 feet, elevating the upper level, which serves as public space, by 15-18 feet and elevating the lower level, envisioned as a waterfront esplanade, by 3-5 feet. The design also includes floodwalls, green infrastructure, and coves for ecological protection and public education. Additionally, the Plan outlines an implementation roadmap for permitting, construction, funding, and governance, and calls for continuous City-community engagement throughout the project to ensure it continues to represent a shared vision. In its next phase, the City will work to gather feedback on the design concept and to secure permits from State and Federal entities to move the project forward. 

The NYC Economic Development Corporation was recently awarded a $50M FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant for the project.

KEY DATA

Location: Financial District and Seaport, New York City

Implementation Led by: New York City Economic Development Corporation

Budget: $118 million ($8 million planning for extension and $110M for Seaport Bulkhead from the City, $50 million FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant)

At a Glance: In December 2021 NYCEDC and MOCR released the Financial District and Seaport Climate Resilience Master Plan. The City is now gathering stakeholder feedback on the design and working to secure permits. NYCEDC was awarded a $50M FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant for the project.

Press: See NYC’s sweeping master plan that promises climate resilience for Lower Manhattan, 6sqft (Jan 2022); New York City announces the multibillion-dollar Financial District and Seaport Climate Resilience Master Plan, Archinect (Dec 2021); Picturing the Flood Protection Planned for the Seaport and FiDi, The Tribeca Trib (Dec 2021); My New Plan to Climate-Proof Lower Manhattan, New Yorker Magazine (March 2019)

GET INVOLVED

Read the full Master Plan and learn more about it on the project website HERE. 

Find project updates HERE and sign up to receive ongoing updates HERE.

Receive information on this and other Sandy resilience projects by signing up for the Rebuild by Design newsletter HERE.

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Rendering of Pine Street Cove looking north and of the view looking south from Pier 17. Source: NYC Economic Development Corporation

Rendering of the waterfront in normal versus coastal storm conditions. Source: NYC Economic Development Corporation