City Launches Request for Qualifications for Design-Build Team to Fully Reconstruct Coney Island's Historic Riegelmann Boardwalk
NYCEDC and NYC Parks Release Request for Qualifications for Progressive Design-Build Team to Lead $1 Billion, 2.4-Mile Rebuild
Milestone Kicks Off Multi-Year Process; Formal Community Input on Design to Begin Following Selection of Design-Build Team
NEW YORK, NY—The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) today released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking a progressive design-build team to lead the full reconstruction of the historic Riegelmann Boardwalk in Coney Island, Brooklyn. The RFQ is the first formal step in delivering the more than $1 billion committed by the city to rebuild the nearly century-old boardwalk from the piles up. The new structure will be built to withstand stronger storms and rising seas while preserving the character that has made it a beloved destination for generations of New Yorkers.
“We're excited kick off the process of rebuilding the iconic Riegelmann Boardwalk, with an approach that brings the City, designers, builders, and the Coney Island community to the table from day one to shape this vision together,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Anthony Shorris. “Today marks a key milestone in the City's more than $1 billion commitment to the future of the historic boardwalk, and NYCEDC looks forward to seeing the industry's leading minds compete for this critical project.”
“Few places in our city are as iconic as the Coney Island boardwalk,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “This $1 billion investment will help improve what New Yorkers already love about the boardwalk while making it safer and more resilient in the face of rising tides and extreme weather. As stewards of the boardwalk, we work year-round to ensure that this beloved public space can safely welcome both the local community and the millions of visitors who enjoy the beach and amusements every summer. We're excited to work with the community to take this next step in the boardwalk's future together.”
The RFQ invites qualified teams to demonstrate their experience delivering large-scale, complex waterfront infrastructure. Following review, NYCEDC will issue a Request for Proposals to a shortlist of qualified teams this winter, with selection of a design-build team expected in Spring 2027. Responses to the RFQ are due November 4. An optional information session will be held in person at NYCEDC and via Microsoft Teams on October 9. The full RFQ is available here.
Under the progressive design-build model, the city selects a single team for both design and construction. This allows the design to develop in collaboration with the city and the community, while cost and schedule are refined as the design advances. NYCEDC is managing the procurement with NYC Parks, supported by Arup as the city's owner's advisor.
Map: Riegelmann Boardwalk reconstruction area, West 37th Street to Brighton 15th Street. Courtesy NYC Parks. Click to enlarge.
The reconstruction will replace the boardwalk's structural piles, decking, and utilities along its full 2.4-mile length. It will also upgrade access points with new accessible ramps and plazas and renovate more than a dozen adjacent NYC Parks buildings, including lifeguard stations and public restrooms. The construction process will prioritize maintaining boardwalk and beach access during peak summer seasons.
Built in 1923, the Riegelmann Boardwalk is among the most visited public spaces in New York City. Decades of heavy use and severe storms, including Hurricane Sandy, have taken a toll on the structure, requiring costly and ongoing repairs. In December 2025, following a detailed technical feasibility study of how the Coney Island waterfront will change over the next century, the city committed more than $1 billion to NYC Parks to rebuild the boardwalk in full in partnership with NYCEDC. Separately funded investments in the surrounding district, including the $42 million renovation of the Abe Stark Sports Center to upgrade the ice-skating facilities and create a new entrance and signage on the boardwalk, are proceeding on their own timelines and are not part of the boardwalk reconstruction budget.
About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
About NYC Parks
NYC Parks is the steward of more than 30,000 acres of land—14 percent of New York City—including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 65 public pools, 51 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 666,000 street trees, and five million more in parks. We are New York City's principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.
