Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) and the Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice (MOCEJ) announced the completion of phase one of Battery Coastal Resilience, a landmark $200 million investment in the long-term safety and resilience of Lower Manhattan.
Phase one of the Battery Coastal Resilience project rebuilds and elevates a portion of the wharf promenade in The Battery, helping protect one of New York City's most iconic public parks from projected sea-level rise through 2100.
Battery Coastal Resilience is part of more than $2.7 billion in Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency (LMCR) capital investments designed to reduce flood risk from coastal storms and rising seas. Once completed, the full LMCR strategy will help protect more than 100,000 residents, 300,000 jobs and 12,000 businesses.
"The Battery is one of the most treasured public spaces in New York City, but it is also on the front lines of the climate crisis," said Mayor Mamdani. "We cannot treat climate resilience as something we can put off until tomorrow. This project is a reminder that protecting New Yorkers requires action today. With phase one now complete, we are taking a major step toward safeguarding Lower Manhattan's residents, workers, small businesses and public spaces from rising seas and stronger storms."
"We must build a resilient city with a clear focus on the waterfront communities that have already experienced catastrophic coastal flooding and continue to face rising sea levels year after year," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. "This project reflects years of coordination across agencies and community partners that will continue as we pursue phase two. I am thrilled that New Yorkers and visitors can now enjoy a safer, stronger waterfront and see firsthand what climate resilience looks like in action."
"The completion of phase one of the Battery Coastal Resilience project marks an inspiring milestone for Lower Manhattan and all of New York as we continue the transformation of our city's waterfront into a more resilient, vibrant and welcoming public space that will serve New Yorkers for generations to come," said NYCEDC Interim President & CEO Jeanny Pak. "NYCEDC is proud to work alongside our partners at NYC Parks to deliver crucial coastal resilience projects - like The Battery - to safeguard critical infrastructure, historic landmarks and thousands of residents, jobs and businesses. We look forward to continuing this all-important work as additional climate resilience projects advance and come online after years of planning, design and construction."
"The completion of phase one of Battery Coastal Resilience marks a major step forward in protecting Lower Manhattan from the growing impacts of climate change while preserving and enhancing one of New York City's most iconic public spaces," said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. "By rebuilding and elevating this historic waterfront, we are strengthening critical infrastructure, improving public access to the shoreline and ensuring that The Battery can continue serving New Yorkers and visitors well into the future."
"Finishing the first phase of the Battery Coastal Resilience project is a major step toward strengthening New York City's coastal defenses and reducing the impacts of flooding and storm surge caused by extreme weather events," said DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia. "Climate change is already reshaping our shoreline, and Lower Manhattan is on the front lines. This work is transforming The Battery into a safer, more adaptable public space that will better protect New Yorkers against future storms."
"The completion of phase one of the Battery Coastal Resilience project marks a major milestone in New York City's efforts to protect communities from the growing impacts of climate change," said New York City Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung. "As sea levels rise and storms become more intense, investments like this are critical to safeguarding New Yorkers, strengthening our waterfront and building a more resilient city for future generations."
"The Battery is one of Manhattan's most iconic public spaces and an essential part of our waterfront," said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. "As climate change continues to threaten our city with rising seas and stronger storms, investments in resilience are more important than ever. I applaud Mayor Mamdani, NYCEDC, NYC Parks and all of the partners who helped bring this critical project to fruition. The completion of this first phase marks an important step toward protecting Lower Manhattan's residents, workers, businesses and public spaces while ensuring future generations can continue to enjoy this historic waterfront."
"Climate resilience is about protecting the systems and places that allow cities to thrive. The Battery sits at one of New York's most symbolic and heavily visited waterfronts. This project strengthens the park's ability to withstand future climate impacts while preserving what matters most: access to the harbor, extraordinary public space, biodiversity and connection to the city and to one another," said Paula Recart, President of The Battery Conservancy.
"The first phase of the Battery Coastal Resilience project builds on our South Battery Park City Resiliency project, including opening the new Wagner Park and the North/West Battery Park City Resiliency project that began recently," said Raju Mann, President & CEO of the Battery Park City Authority. "Together, these efforts will form a continuous line of protection for Lower Manhattan, ensuring our residents, buildings and infrastructure are resilient and future-proof. BPCA is proud to work alongside our city partners to deliver these historic investments and create lasting benefits for our coastal communities."
By using low carbon and reclaimed materials - including granite, wood and bronze - and shifting the movement of construction materials from trucks to barges on the city's Blue Highways network, the Battery Coastal Resilience project achieves a more than 50% reduction in embodied carbon and removes more than 2,000 truck trips from Lower Manhattan streets, cutting carbon transportation emissions by more than 90%.
The second and final phase of the project is expected to be completed in 2027 and will reconstruct and elevate the remaining portion of the wharf. The project will support 400 construction jobs and serve as a model for how resilient infrastructure can advance environmental sustainability while strengthening public space and community well-being.
Once complete, the reconstructed Battery wharf will offer sweeping views of New York Harbor and feature improved accessibility, seating, lighting and gardens. Visitors will be able to experience more than a dozen monuments throughout the park, including the Gardens of Remembrance, which pay tribute to those who died on September 11, 2001, and the thousands of survivors who fled to safety aboard ferries departing from The Battery. Visitors will also be able to experience the park's world-class horticulture along a waterfront designed to withstand the challenges of a changing climate.
