Mayor Adams Breaks Ground on $218 Million Public Safety Project to Protect Red Hook From Coastal Flooding, Save Hundreds of Millions of Dollars for Residents in Lost Property Costs

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ administration today broke ground on Red Hook Coastal Resiliency (RHCR), a $218 million public safety project that will protect neighborhood residents and businesses from the effects of future storm surges and flooding above sea level — keeping more New Yorkers safe during extreme weather events and saving hundreds of millions of dollars in future repairs from destructive extreme weather events. RHCR will commission a series of floodwalls, floodgates, street redesigns, and other infrastructure enhancements to build a continuous line of long-term resiliency features in the Red Hook neighborhood, creating a two-mile integrated coastal defense system stretching across Atlantic Basin and Beard Street, two of the neighborhood’s most flood-prone areas. Work is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2028, ensuring a more resilient Red Hook community in the face of future extreme weather and a changing climate, providing protection against storms that have a one in 10 chance of occurring each year, and protecting against sea level rise as projected by the New York City Panel on Climate Change in a low-lying coastal community where these storms are a more frequent flooding threat.

“Keeping people safe includes protecting New Yorkers from the destructive effects of climate change and extreme weather. Today, we are taking action as we break ground on Red Hook Coastal Resiliency and invest in the safety of our people, our neighborhoods, and our city,” said Mayor Adams “This massive $218-million public-safety project demonstrates that our city is leading the nation when it comes to protecting New Yorkers from the dangers of extreme weather, and thinking about how we can avoid infrastructure and residential damage and keep money in New Yorkers’ pockets. The work we begin here today is more than just protective infrastructure, it’s how we are investing in safer, more resilient neighborhoods for generations to come.”

“The Red Hook Coastal Resiliency project will deliver meaningful protection against storm surge flooding caused by climate change,” said New York City Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “This project will bring much-needed coastal relief to Red Hook residents and businesses in this waterfront community. The Department of Environmental Protection, the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, and our agency partners are delivering critical coastal infrastructure that ensures New Yorkers’ continued access to our waterfronts as sites of industry, transportation, and recreation.”

Map showing project area of RHCR. Credit: New York City Department of Design and Construction

RHCR is designed to improve stormwater management and sustainability, while maintaining the Red Hook neighborhood’s character. Public space improvements include a full reconstruction of Todd Triangle — transforming it into a more inviting, plaza-like space with seating and landscaping — and extending the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway by 1.2 miles with new bike lanes improving pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle circulation. The IKEA waterfront park will also be upgraded to meet ADA standards, with improved pathways, additional seating, and new plantings for increased accessibility and comfort. Finally, there will be nearly 200 new tree plantings, as well as shrubs and flowers, to enhance greenery and natural water absorption throughout the neighborhood.

Floodwalls

The construction of floodwalls and deployable floodgates, the raising of some streets, and upgrades to local sewers will address flooding. Currently, Red Hook’s lowest point is about four feet above sea level. The project will create a continuous flood protection system that will boost the area’s protection to 10-feet above sea level.

Nearly 1.5 miles of floodwalls, reaching up to five feet in height, along with eight flip-up gates and two roller gates, will be constructed. Some streets within the project area will be raised by up to three feet to support both passive and deployable flood protection measures. Roadways, curbs, and sidewalks will also be reconstructed throughout the project to ensure seamless integration of the resiliency features with existing neighborhood infrastructure.

Floodgates

A design rendering shows a floodgate and street improvements that will be installed at Van Brunt and Reed Streets.

Street Redesign

Future roadway and streetscape upgrades at Todd Triangle, which includes a bike lane,  ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, and street safety upgrades.

RHCR was designed with extensive input from the community and years of planning engagement. Numerous community board meetings, and community and stakeholder meetings, were held throughout the course of the design process to inform the public and take input and feedback on project alternatives and future implementation.

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