New York City: Mayor de Blasio announces resiliency plan to protect Lower Manhattan from climate change
Comprehensive resiliency plan advances $500 million in capital projects and interim measures that will protect up to 70% of Lower Manhattan; for remaining 30%, recommends extending the shoreline into East River to protect Seaport & FiDi
Mayor de Blasio today released findings of a study that determined the City’s comprehensive strategy for the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency (LMCR) project. The study evaluated dozens of adaptation measures and identified a set of strategies to build resilience in Lower Manhattan. The recommendations include developing a plan to extend the Manhattan shoreline into the East River to protect the low-lying and highly constrained Seaport and Financial District area. In addition, the city will advance $500 million for four capital projects to reinforce Lower Manhattan’s coastal areas and provide interim flood protections for the Seaport, parts of the Financial District and Two Bridges neighborhoods, to begin construction between 2019 and 2021.
The Lower Manhattan Climate Resilience Study findings are available here.
“Hurricane Sandy showed us how vulnerable areas like Lower Manhattan are to climate change,” said Mayor de Blasio. “That’s why we not only have to reduce emissions to prevent the most cataclysmic potential effects of global warming, we have to prepare for the ones that are already inevitable. Our actions will protect Lower Manhattan into the next century. We need the federal government to stand behind cities like New York to meet this crisis head on.”
Since Hurricane Sandy, the City has worked to assess the impacts and risks of climate change and analyze coastal protection options along the 3.3 miles of shoreline comprising Lower Manhattan. The Resilience Study projects that by the 2050s, 37 percent of properties in Lower Manhattan will be at risk from storm surge. By 2100, with over 6 feet of projected sea level rise, almost 50 percent of properties will be at risk from surge, and 20 percent of Lower Manhattan streets will be exposed to daily tidal inundation. Groundwater table rise is projected to put 7 percent of buildings at risk of destabilization and expose 39 percent of streets with underground utilities to corrosion and water infiltration.
Seaport & financial district – Extending the shoreline into the East River
The Study examined a range of options for protecting all of Lower Manhattan, including the Seaport and the Financial District. These areas present unique challenges, including low-lying topography, a lack of available space, dense infrastructure above and below ground, and an active waterfront. The proximity of the FDR, Battery Tunnel and A/C subway tunnels further constrain the sites. Taken together, these elements mean that more traditional on-land flood protection measures are not feasible. Ultimately, the Study found that extending the shoreline into the East River is the only feasible way to protect these vulnerable and vital parts of the city.
The shoreline may be extended by a maximum of 500 feet, or two full city blocks. This will create a new piece of land with high points at or above 20 feet from current sea-level. The new shoreline will act as a flood barrier during storms and protect the neighborhoods against projected sea-level rise. The exact extent of the new shoreline, along with the design and construction of this innovative flood protection system, will be determined through an extensive public engagement process.
Over the next two years, ORR and NYCEDC will complete a Financial District and Seaport Climate Resilience Master Plan, which will include a comprehensive design for the shoreline extension and establish a new public-benefit corporation to finance, construct, and manage it. To begin this process, the City will immediately procure a team of engineers and designers through a Request for Qualification RFQ later this month. The Master Planning Process will be complete in 2021 and will identify a first phase project.
Protecting against future risks
In response to these risks, the City is advancing approximately $500 million worth of investments in climate resilience as part of an overall strategy that includes both capital projects and additional planning for increasing the resilience of Lower Manhattan.
The City is making targeted, ambitious investments that will deliver significant climate adaptation measures for key neighborhoods of Lower Manhattan:
In the South Street Seaport area, parts of the Financial District and Two Bridges neighborhoods, Emergency Management (EM) will spend $3.5 million to deploy a combination of just-in-time Tiger Dams and pre-deployed HESCO barriers by the 2019 hurricane season as temporary measures in advance of a permanent solution.
In Battery Park City, the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA), with $134 million in bonds, will reconstruct its esplanade and open space to adapt to new climate conditions. BPCA kicked off design in 2018 and will start construction in 2020.
In The Battery, NYCEDC, in partnership with NYC Parks, BPCA and the Battery Conservancy, will invest $165 million to elevate the wharf and esplanade and integrate a protective barrier such as a berm at the back of the park. This design will preserve the look and feel of the existing park while strengthening the shoreline. Construction will begin in 2021.
In the Two Bridges neighborhood, NYCEDC is designing an integrated flood protection system comprised of permanent barriers and deployable or ‘flip up’ protections that will protect view corridors and public access. DDC will manage construction of the $200 million investment, which will begin in 2021.
Community engagement
Beginning in the Spring, the City will establish a robust community engagement process to discuss the study, its strategies, dedicated investments, and further planning. Dedicated community outreach programs will take place for each of the advancing capital projects as well as for the Financial District and Seaport Climate Resilience Master Plan. Community engagement for the Master Planning Process will inform the extent of the shoreline extension and topside programming and identify a first phase project.
Updated climate resiliency design guidelines
As part of ongoing citywide efforts to increase the resiliency of City buildings and infrastructure to the impacts of climate change, the City also released the third version of its Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines. Since New York City facilities built today will remain in use for many decades to come, it’s critically important that they be designed to withstand the long-term impacts of climate change based on the best available science.
These publicly available guidelines, which are recommended for use in municipal capital projects, equip engineers, architects, and planners with the tools and information they need to integrate future climate data into their designs. These guidelines were developed using local climate change projections that have been collected and refined over 10 years by the New York City Panel on Climate Change (NPCC). Using the Guidelines helps protect the built environment and the services New Yorkers rely upon, while avoiding future damages and higher operational costs.
“Protecting New York City from the threat of climate change requires big ideas,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “The plan for land expansion in Lower Manhattan is a big idea, and kicking off a robust community engagement plan is critical to the success of this or any other idea that moves forward. I look forward to working with the administration along with the community to fully explore how this plan will both protect and be an asset for New Yorkers every day.”
“As a Council Member representing a shore front community, I will always support measures and funding that address the threat of climate change to these areas. It's never too early to prepare our vulnerable shoreline from future risks. Going forward, it is my hope that the next phase of resiliency plans will continue to cover and protect our Queens communities along the north and south shores,” said Council Member Paul Vallone.
“Impacts of climate change pose an existential threat to our quality of life and economic stability,” said James Patchett, NYCEDC President and CEO. “A comprehensive strategy to protect Lower Manhattan against climate risks is critically necessary in order to safeguard our communities and secure our collective future.”
“With this comprehensive resiliency strategy, we have set forth a bold plan to protect Lower Manhattan—one of New York City’s most iconic and vital areas,” said Jainey Bavishi, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency. “To develop this strategy, we first conducted a full assessment of the climate threats facing Lower Manhattan, which are significant and growing. Now, we’re marshalling the City’s resources to tackle this enormous challenge by advancing approximately $500 million in strategic investments and further studying extending Manhattan’s shoreline to protect the low-lying and vulnerable Seaport and Financial District neighborhoods.”
“In an era when climate change poses serious threats across the city and across the world, resiliency measures are necessary to protect coastal communities,” said Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik, chair of the committee on parks and recreation. “Engagement with impacted local communities on issues including housing, parks, and infrastructure is vital as the process moves forward.”
"Mayor de Blasio's latest plan to protect Lower Manhattan demonstrates that the City is taking the risk of flooding from storms and sea level rise seriously and is not afraid to consider bold action," said Tom Wright, President and CEO, Regional Plan Association. "As the region advances down the challenging road of implementing adaptation, we will need to carefully weigh our options, engaging closely with affected communities, while considering new approaches that are calibrated to the climate challenges we face."
"The city's carefully researched plan to secure Lower Manhattan against floods and rising water levels is smart and necessary. The business community supports this investment," stated Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO, Partnership for New York City.
"The Waterfront Alliance commends the City for thinking big for Lower Manhattan, but there remains important questions. As the waters rise, time is of the essence to protect our entire coastal city," said Roland Lewis, President. "All options should be on the table and we need to have a full understanding of the trade-offs. This new plan comes on the eve of a new report to be released by the New York City Panel on Climate Change, possibly with updated projections. Each one given has been worse for our city than the one prior and tomorrow's statement is likely to equally sobering. There is no silver bullet. And as the mayor rightfully points out there is very limited sliver. The federal government must step up and in to address a true national emergency. Most important, there is no time. Solutions based on the best analysis with robust and real public input are needed to address the urgency of now."
"In the seven years since the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, Lower Manhattan is stronger than ever. But its vibrancy and economic vitality should not be taken for granted. The Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Study makes it clear that climate risks require action to safeguard downtown’s status as a center of global commerce and culture. We look forward to working with the City and community stakeholders on short and long term solutions to protect Lower Manhattan and the growing number of downtown workers, residents, and visitors,” said John H. Banks, President, The Real Estate Board of New York.
"New York continues to set global best practice in planning for coastal resiliency by finishing the final segment of the Lower Manhattan waterfront. As one of the most vulnerable cities in the world to sea level rise, New York needs to take proactive steps to address the impacts of climate change. We can be confident that New Yorkers - many of whom rely on this part of the city not only for jobs but also for transport - will be better prepared for generations to come. Cities around the world will be keen to learn from the experience of New York, and mayors across the C40 network will be watching closely at the success of this project,” said David Miller Regional Director of C40, North America and C40 Ambassador for Inclusive Climate Action.
"Building resilience requires a forward-looking vision for the future. New York City is taking the important step to not only understand the shocks and stresses to which its communities are exposed today, but also explore bold ideas to tackle challenges the city will face by the end of this century,” said Corinne LeTourneau, Managing Director for North America at 100 Resilient Cities, Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation.
“Climate change is real. Protecting Lower Manhattan is critical for the 62,000 New Yorkers who live here and, big picture, for the long term health of our city’s economy," said Jessica Lappin, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. "We look forward to working with the city to fashion solutions that work in both the near and long terms."
“Top among our priorities is protecting Battery Park City from the threats of storm surge and flooding associated with climate change and sea level rise, and we’re glad to be working in close collaboration with our community, the Mayor’s Office, and a range of City and State agencies on these efforts,” said Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) President & CEO B.J. Jones. “Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo and our Board, we look forward to continuing to work together in building a stronger and more resilient lower Manhattan for the next generation.”
“As Manhattan's prow, The Battery has long led the city into the future. In touch with the ocean every day, this park is among the most immediate places in New York to experience sea-level rise. The Battery Conservancy looks forward to working with Lower Manhattan's residents and businesses and the many agencies of the City of New York -- especially our partner, the NYC Parks Department -- along with our neighbors at Battery Park City Authority and National Park Service, to develop and implement a truly holistic plan for water resiliency in Lower Manhattan,” said Warrie Price, President and Founder of Battery Conservancy.
“We are happy to see such thought and effort being put into resiliency for the community. This is an opportunity for the community to work closely with the respective agencies to get some real work done while ensuring local residents, business and historic landmarks that their concerns and needs are addressed as well,” said Neil Mossber, Chairman of the Old Seaport Alliance.
Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said, “Lower Manhattan is home to and a place of work for thousands of New Yorkers. This study shows there is no time to wait before taking action to ensure this economic center is protected from threats of sea level rise and storm surge. We thank Mayor de Blasio, NYCEDC, and the Office of Recovery & Resiliency for recognizing the importance of adapting Lower Manhattan to the effects of climate change and investing in its protection. We are also pleased that the updated climate resiliency guidelines were released and will be used to ensure City facilities can better withstand future storms. We look forward to seeing substantive community engagement included as the Lower Manhattan resiliency projects move forward.”
“As we approach the seventh anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, we are encouraged to see progress towards a comprehensive resiliency infrastructure plan for Lower Manhattan and we look forward to a robust community engagement process,” said Anthony Notaro, Jr. Chair, Manhattan Community Board 1.
“Climate Change: the science is clear and the threat is real. Every day we wait to begin Lower Manhattan resiliency raises the price and increases the risk of devastation by another superstorm. The success of this project requires engineering expertise and continuous community engagement,” said Catherine McVay Hughes, Former Chair of Manhattan Community Board 1.