Coney Island Creek Resiliency Project

The Coney Island Creek Resiliency Project is a critical component to flood risk mitigation in the vicinity of Coney Island Creek. 

The Coney Island neighborhood experienced “backdoor” flooding during Superstorm Sandy, causing significant damage. The storm was a catalyst for multiple planning studies, including the Raise Shorelines Citywide Study and the Coney Island Creek Resiliency Study. These studies identified areas at high risk for flooding and determined the feasibility of mitigating such risk, and the findings of these studies led to the development of the Coney Island Creek Resiliency Project. The goal of this project is to build shoreline protection measures to repair and strengthen the existing shoreline against flood risk. It includes the design shoreline protection measures to protect from projected sea-level rise in Coney Island Creek.  NYCEDC is leading the project in coordination with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ), New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP), and various other city agencies.

NYCEDC conducted a public procurement in 2018, and McLaren was selected to design the new shoreline protection measures, including bulkhead, revetments, or other measures as deemed appropriate. In 2024 the City of New York was awarded a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) grant to support the project. The project area consists of five non-contiguous low-lying areas along the southern shoreline of Coney Island Creek. When complete, the project will provide protection from sea-level rise to elevation+7.0 feet North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88).

Header image: Existing conditions at Coney Island Creek at W. 21st Street