The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation have launched a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify a design-build team for the full reconstruction of the historic Riegelmann Boardwalk in Coney Island. The RFQ represents the first formal step in deploying more than $1 billion that the city has committed to rebuilding the nearly century-old oceanfront promenade.
The planned reconstruction is intended to deliver a new boardwalk structure that can better withstand stronger storms and rising sea levels. Framing the RFQ as a milestone in a larger resilience and infrastructure effort, NYCEDC president and CEO Anthony Shorris said the organization looks forward to seeing the industry’s leading minds compete to deliver this critical project for the city.
Through the RFQ, NYCEDC is inviting qualified teams to showcase their experience in delivering large-scale, complex waterfront infrastructure. Respondents are expected to demonstrate the technical, design, and delivery capabilities needed to manage a comprehensive rebuild of a heavily used public asset along the Coney Island shoreline.
Following the RFQ review process, NYCEDC plans to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) this winter to a shortlist of qualified teams. From that group, the city expects to select a design-build team in spring 2027, setting up a defined procurement timeline that moves from qualifications to detailed proposals and final team designation over the next several seasons.
The RFQ marks an early but significant point in turning the city’s multibillion-dollar commitment into an executable project scope for the Riegelmann Boardwalk. It also formalizes the opportunity for multidisciplinary teams to compete for a high-profile waterfront assignment that will combine coastal resilience, public-realm design, and complex construction staging in a dense urban environment.
Responses to the RFQ are due November 4, giving interested design-build teams a fixed window to assemble and submit their qualifications. Additional detail on submission requirements and project parameters is available through the city’s RFQ materials, which will guide how teams present their relevant experience with similar large-scale waterfront and infrastructure work.
