NYC Parks, NYC Economic Development Corporation Seeking Ideas to Enhance Staten Island Beachfronts

NYC Parks and NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), in partnership with the NYC Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning & Sustainability (OLTPS), released on Friday a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for the reactivation of Staten Island's East and South Shores' public beachfronts and open spaces. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated the shorefront and affected the economies of nearby commercial corridors and communities. This RFEI will seek proposals to help these impacted areas continue to recover and reemerge as destinations for residents and visitors by encouraging the submission of proposals for recreational activities, food and drink concessions, educational programs, and a host of additional possibilities.

Staten Island's miles of continuous public beachfront comprise one of the borough's greatest natural and recreational assets and attract two to three million annual visitors to its many beaches, parks, fields, and open spaces which offer swimming, fishing, boating, picnicking, boardwalks, promenades, bike lanes and other active and passive recreational opportunities. The RFEI highlights the potential to leverage these assets and generate new uses of appeal to local beachgoers and visitors. NYC Parks and NYCEDC have identified eight Opportunity Sites that offer the potential for greater utilization and could enhance the beachfront and adjacent public spaces, generating economic activity for the benefit of their communities and Staten Island as a whole.

"Following Superstorm Sandy, the City immediately began working to help devastated communities recover and rebuild. It was an enormous effort and today, our parks and beaches are symbols of renewal and resilience," said NYC Parks Commissioner Veronica M. White." They serve as respites from city life, increase real estate values and drive local economies. Staten Island's beachfronts are back and provide a host of opportunities and possibilities."

"This RFEI represents an important step in the continuing recovery of communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy, encouraging long-term community resiliency by providing jobs and spurring investment in these communities," said NYCEDC President Kyle Kimball. "Activating public beachfronts and open spaces on Staten Island's East and South Shores complements the resiliency efforts we have been engaged in since the storm, by bringing cultural amenities and generating critical economic activity to help rebuild both the physical and economic infrastructure in these neighborhoods."

In the months since Hurricane Sandy, New York City agencies have worked to help restore homes and businesses on Staten Island. In addition to providing relief to those displaced by the storm, the City has put forward, in "A Stronger, More Resilient New York," a ground-breaking plan to protect New York City from the risks from extreme weather and climate change.

"Staten Island's beaches are a natural treasure. They protect our neighborhoods and provide recreational opportunities to the entire borough," said NYC's Director of Resiliency Daniel Zarrilli. "The City continues to build a stronger, more resilient New York by strengthening coastal defenses, upgrading buildings, protecting infrastructure and making neighborhoods safer and more vibrant. With this RFEI, we are seeking creative public input to build economic opportunities on Staten Island."

In a demonstration of inter-governmental collaboration, the National Park Service (NPS) has included Miller Field, a Gateway National Recreational Area, as one of the eight Opportunity Sites defined in the RFEI. Miller Field can attract 10,000 to 15,000 young people over a given weekend and is the location of two historic air hangars for which the NPS is seeking creative adaptive reuses.

"I look forward to the continued revitalization of our shorefront areas," said Borough President James P. Molinaro, "which hold great potential to attract even more Staten Islanders than they already do, and I am eager to see what ideas the RFEI generates."

" 'Underutilized.' 'Untapped.' 'Imagine if.' 'If only.' 'What could be.' 'Why do other waterfronts have so much while we have so little?' When it comes to Staten Island's East Shore waterfront we need to retire all of these phrases," said Council Member James S. Oddo. "It is my sincere hope that this RFEI is the first step in that transformation. I thank the Bloomberg Administration for undertaking this process, particularly because despite all of our local efforts and wishes, we know that this initiative requires the power and the leadership of the Mayor and his staff."

"We have always known that Staten Island's waterfront offered endless possibilities. Out of this terrible tragedy has come a unique opportunity to realize our beachfront's fullest potential. I'm excited to see the proposals of ways we can rebuild and reinvent our waterfront," said Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis.

The RFEI is seeking ideas for seasonal, temporary and/or permanent proposals, leaving the parameters as broad as possible to encourage the highest level of creativity and engagement from respondents. Submissions could include proposals for:

• Eating and drinking establishments
• Festivals, concerts and performances
• Recreational facilities and/or programming
• Markets, fairs or events to promote local businesses
• Adaptive reuse of historic buildings
• And many other concepts...

Interested parties will have an opportunity to attend an information session on December 4, 2013 at the South Fin Grill at The Vanderbilt, located at 300 Father Capodanno Boulevard in Staten Island, and can always refer to http://www.nycedc.com/opportunity/staten-island-beachfronts-rfei for more information. RFEI responses may be submitted from December 20, 2013 until January 21, 2014. The target implementation date for early-action proposals is Summer of 2014.