Proposed Staten Island seawall moves forward with state backing

The state is investing in some major flood resiliency efforts on Staten Island’s eastern shore, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday. The state is contributing $151 million towards an elevated promenade and a seawall that will stretch from Fort Wadsworth to Oakwood Beach.

This seven-mile long seawall will not only protect the borough from coastal flooding, but it will also provide a space for several recreational amenities, biking, walking, and access to public beaches.

"This innovative project takes into account the diverse needs of the affected communities, protecting against future devastating weather events, enhancing access to the shore, creating vibrant, thriving wetlands and bringing peace of mind to those living along the Staten Island coastline,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement.

The project will be led by the Army Corps of Engineers and will see the construction of 20-foot-tall seawalls that will protect the borough from future Hurricane-sandy like events. While plans for the project haven’t been formalized, some of the recreational uses the state has put forward include food tastings, cultural festivals, marathons, and seaside carnivals.

A similar plan was proposed by the Army Corps in 2015, but that did not seem to include these recreational spaces. Now the project seems a little more robust.

This new project will cost $613 million, according to the New York Daily News. Aside from the state contribution, $400 million will come from the federal government, and the rest will come from the city, according to the New York Post.

Before the state formalizes the use of this promenade, the Department of Environmental Conservation will host several community meetings to allow Staten Islanders to provide their input on the project. A final design will be revealed at the end of next year. Construction is expected to get underway sometime in early 2019, with completion expected in 2022.

• Cuomo announces funding for new Staten Island seawall [NYP]
• Gov. Cuomo grants Staten Island $151M to build seawall and promenade along southern coast [NYDN]
• Giant Levee May Protect Staten Island From Future Storms [Curbed]