First Phase of East Side Coastal Resiliency Receives National Engineering Excellence Award From the American Council of Engineering Companies

DDC: Denisse Moreno, 718-391-1854, morenode@ddc.nyc.gov

(Long Island City, NY – May 23, 2025) Commissioner Thomas Foley of the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) today announced that the first phase of East Side Coastal Resiliency in the area north of East 15^th Street received a National Recognition Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) at its 2025 Engineering Excellence (EEA) Awards. DDC received the honor during the National Recognition Award EEA Gala Dinner and Awards Program at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C. on May 20, 2025.

group photo of five people at awards event holding two awards

DDC Associate Commissioner Joseph G. Lione (second from left), who oversees coastal resiliency projects, received the National Recognition Award from ACEC on behalf of the agency in Washington D.C. on May 20, 2025

“The first section of the $1.45 billion East Side Coastal Resiliency project is a unique achievement that was completed ahead of schedule and $10 million under budget,” said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley. “Through this project we are protecting more than 110,000 Lower East Side residents from future flooding while providing beautiful parks and amenities for them to enjoy. DDC will continue to make communities safer through innovative, cool projects all over the city.”

floodgate 13

The 79-foot-long flood gate at Stuyvesant Cove Park, which was rebuilt with new flood protection under the first phase of ESCR. The entire project extends south to Montgomery Street

The first phase of East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) covers the area between East 15^th Street and Asser Levy Playground at East 25^th Street. The project revamped Murphy Brothers Playground on Avenue C with flood protection, including flood gates, a new dog run, ballfields, and other amenities. The $163 million section was $10 million under its original projected budget and was completed two months ahead of schedule. Construction on the second phase is underway and anticipated to be completed by early-2027.

ESCR, a $1.45 billion project, will protect more than 110,000 Lower East Side residents from future storms and high tides and protect billions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure and property in the area. ESCR includes raised parkland, floodwalls, berms, and 18 swinging or sliding flood gates to create a continuous line of protection against sea level rise and the growing threat of stronger, more severe coastal storms worsened by climate change.

new ballfield new basketball court

A ball field and basketball court at Murphy Brothers Park that was part of the first completed section of the East Side Coastal Resiliency project. The parks were opened fall 2024.

ESCR phase one recently received the Diamond Award in the ACEC New York 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards. It was one of 11 projects DDC was recognized for in that competition.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor Adams’ long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $33 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.