Mayor Eric Adams announced a historic $1 billion investment to revitalize Coney Island, focusing on restoring the iconic Riegelmann Boardwalk, building 1,500 new mixed-income homes (with 25% affordable), upgrading infrastructure, and renovating the Abe Stark Sports Center. Speaking in Coney Island, Adams reflected on his early career as a transit officer in the area and emphasized the community’s long-standing need for investment, stating that residents should not be priced out and that life there should offer stability, not just seasonal tourism. He highlighted the boardwalk’s poor condition for decades and committed to making the waterfront a year-round place to live, work, and raise families.
Speakers including Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue and EDC President Andrew Kimball underscored the project’s focus on climate resiliency, with plans to reconstruct the boardwalk using durable, sustainable materials to withstand rising sea levels and extreme weather, informed by technical surveys and lessons from storms like Sandy. The initiative includes community engagement for design and phasing to minimize disruption, with an RFP for boardwalk construction expected in early 2026. Additional efforts involve new streets, sewers, open spaces, and recent developments like 500 mixed-income units and retail nearby.
Local leaders and partners expressed gratitude for Adams’ personal commitment to Coney Island, crediting his long advocacy and the administration’s record on affordable housing. During the Q&A, officials noted no final decisions on materials or exact timelines yet, emphasizing community input and resiliency measures, while acknowledging the incoming administration could review ongoing projects. The announcement was celebrated as a transformative step for a resilient, thriving Coney Island.