Rendering of Raised Shorelines Initiative for Old Howard Beach & Mott Basin. A person walks along a curved stone pathway lined with a metal railing through a green, grassy field under a clear blue sky. Sparse trees and distant structures are visible in the background.
Waterfront

Raise Shorelines: Old Howard Beach & Mott Basin

Location: Queens
Project Status: Ongoing

The Raise Shorelines initiative is a critical part of NYC’s five-borough coastal defense program to protect neighborhoods from the impacts of climate change.

Map highlighting Raise Shorelines Priority Projects for sea level rise protection. Marked locations are Travis Avenue, Coney Island Creek, Mott Basin, and Old Howard Beach. Each site is represented by a blue dot on the map.

Protecting Queens Neighborhoods

NYCEDC, on behalf of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ), is managing the Raise Shorelines portfolio to address vulnerability of NYC shorelines and protect coastal communities from projected 2050 sea-level rise.

The Queens Raise Shorelines portfolio includes two projects—in Old Howard Beach and Mott Basin—that reinforce the shoreline to prevent erosion and mitigate daily tidal flooding from sea-level rise by increasing the height of coastal edges.

Old Howard Beach

Rendering of reinforced shoreline in Old Howard Beach. A paved road ends at a waterfront, bordered by tall trees with green leaves. A yellow diamond sign is visible among the trees. The sky is clear, and the water reflects the bright daylight. Grass covers the sides of the road.

Old Howard Beach rendering

Projected sea-level rise by 2050 will likely result in routine tidal flooding through 95th Street and 165th Street ends in the Old Howard Beach neighborhood in Queens. Street ends are the points of entry for most coastal flooding in New York City, and there is currently no protection here against tidal flooding.

To prepare for that future, NYCEDC is reinforcing the Shellbank and Hawtree Basin shorelines by installing crown walls that will protect against flooding due to tidal wave inundation up to almost 8 feet tall as well as providing vehicular safety at neighborhood street ends.

Mott Basin

Rendering of raised shoreline initiative in Mott Basin, Queens. A scenic river path with grassy banks curves alongside calm water. Two people sit on a bench, and a person walks by. Trees line the right side, and buildings are visible in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Mott Basin rendering

The primary goal for Mott Basin is to create community resiliency through protection against 2050 sea level rise and flooding resulting from daily tidal inundation. The project will also address:

  • Ecological enhancement: Restore and improve wetland ecology for increased biodiversity and natural flood mitigation
  • Stormwater Management Resilience: Improve drainage in the upland area
  • Community Connectivity: Provide community access to the Mott Basin shoreline

To achieve these goals, a suite of tools will be used, including a berm—an elevated crest above existing grade that consists of earth and a structural core—along with gabion wall slope stabilization and native marsh restoration. The berm will also create a new public park for residents to enjoy.

Contact Us

Contact: [email protected]

Reach out with questions about these projects.

Related Projects

A red car crosses a flooded road, with other vehicles lined up behind it. The road is partially submerged, flanked by tall grass and trees. Overcast sky and power lines are visible in the background.
Staten Island
Raise Shorelines: Travis Avenue
In Progress