Study Offers Flood-Mitigation Suggestions for Coney Island Creek

Arcadis published a study of Coney Island Creek and its surrounding areas to develop recommendations for improved flood protection that minimizes environmental impact, improves water quality, and enhances community recreation. In anticipation of climate change events, the New York City Economic Development Corp., in partnership with the Mayor's Office of Recovery and Resiliency, commissioned Arcadis to prepare the study.

Arcadis’ proposed flood mitigation measures include:

• Constructing an in-water tidal barrier to maintain tidal flow, water quality and circulation;
• Creating ecological diversity through habitat enhanced bulkhead designs, natural storm water treatment areas and coastal wetlands restoration;
• Enhancing views to waterfront and distant harbor view through elevated trails featuring attractive landscaping; and
• Enhancing connectivity between neighborhoods with walking berms that cross the creek.

The proposal also provides the following benefits:

• It delivers a flood protection system that reduces risk for 45,800 residents and 6,000 buildings, including residential, retail, commercial and industrial, in an area containing 1,200 businesses employing more than 12,100 people.
• The small construction footprint merges green and gray infrastructure to reduce impact to existing site conditions, including water quality, ecology, and drainage while increasing community recreational opportunities and ecological diversity.
• It supports local business and retail development through reduced flood risk and decreased flood protection insurance rates and building costs.

As a result of this study, the City of New York has worked successfully with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expand its Rockaway Reformulation Study area to include the neighborhoods of Southern Brooklyn adjacent to Coney Island Creek.

The study and a video summarizing the proposed solutions as well as the innovative approaches undertaken, including community outreach activities, are available.

Source: Arcadis