New York City is officially taking the next step to rebuild one of its most famous coastal landmarks.
The city’s Economic Development Corporation and Department of Parks just released a request for qualifications to select a team for a $1 billion full reconstruction of Coney Island’s historic Riegelmann Boardwalk.
At 102 years old, the structure is in desperate need of repair. Decades of sand, saltwater, and weed accumulation have rotted the wooden planks, leading to warped decking and loose screws.
Current daily maintenance efforts address only about 1% of the boardwalk, forcing the city to pursue a complete structural overhaul.
Major structural and flood resilience upgrades
The reconstruction covers 2.7 miles from West 37th Street to Brighton 15th Street.
Underneath the surface, crews will fix cracked concrete piles, support beams, and structural gaps that currently allow sea water and sand to flow into neighboring streets.
Key changes coming to the boardwalk include:
- Replacing the decking system and reinforcing foundational piles.
- Elevating key boardwalk sections to enhance flood defenses for Coney Island and Brighton Beach.
- Creating ADA-compliant ramps and plazas by transforming outdated street-end entry points.
- Renovating over 12 waterfront structures, including public restrooms, lifeguard stations, shade pavilions, and a garage.
The project also complements an active $42 million renovation of the Abe Stark Sports Center, which is gaining upgraded ice rink facilities and a brand-new boardwalk entrance.
Next steps and project timeline
City officials are using a progressive design-build model, combining design and construction under one team to adapt the plans alongside community feedback.
- The city will review qualified waterfront engineering teams and issue a shortlist this winter.
- A final team selection is expected in spring 2027.
- NYCEDC is hosting a hybrid informational meeting on Friday, October 9 at 10 a.m. at One Liberty Plaza, with RSVPs due by Wednesday, October 7 at 5 p.m.