News Story

A flood mitigation project in South Battery Park City could not have been completed at a better time — right before a major storm hit the NYC metropolitan area throughout the weekend.

The Battery Park City Authority, Battery Conservancy, elected officials and community partners celebrated the completion of a major coastal resilience project, including the reopening of a scenic bike path around Manhattan’s southern tip on Sept. 24.

Dubbed the South Battery Park City Resiliency Project (SBPCR) the $221 million project adds flood protections stretching from the Museum of Jewish Heritage through Wagner Park, Pier A Plaza and the northern edge of the historic Battery.

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A spokesperson for the Battery Park City Authority told amNewYork the project, which includes new flood walls and landscaping features, helped secure the area from this weekend’s nor’easter, which battered parts of NYC with 33 mph winds, intense rain and flooding.

“Battery Park City has not been impacted by this weekend’s storm,” the spokesperson said. “ With an elevated Wagner Park, fortified Battery Bikeway and a coastal flood risk management system in place, SBPCR has strengthened the area’s long-term protection for more severe storms while delivering exceptional public spaces.”

Although Battery Park City was safe, a coastal flood warning remained in effect throughout the city until 6 p.m. on Sunday.

A new line of defense against flooding: The SBPCR

Meanwhile, the South Battery Park City Resiliency Project aims to significantly improve the area’s flood infrastructure, with certain areas of the project zone sitting at the lowest elevation in the park and needing robust flood protections, officials said.

The city, state and federal government have committed to funding the project, along with several others, as part of the overall Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency (LMCR) Master Plan, announced in 2024.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said the completion of the SBPCR project will help protect the coastline.

“The completion of the South Battery Park City Resiliency Project delivers critical flood protection while creating a more vibrant public space for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy,” she said. “As we continue to build a more resilient Lower Manhattan, projects like this will help safeguard our coastline, support quality of life and prepare New York for the future.”

There are several food mitigation components to the resiliency project. It raised Wagner Park and Pier A Plaza above projected flood levels and added flood walls, gates and improved drainage systems to help protect the area, officials said. It also includes a new zero-carbon pavilion, updated landscaping and plazas, a stormwater storage tank, improved security along Battery Place and upgrades along the waterfront.

“With completion of the South Battery Park City Resiliency Project we’re proud to deliver an integral component of the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency initiative,” Battery Park City Authority Chair Don Capoccia said. “The work represents a vital and historic investment in downtown Manhattan – in its people, its infrastructure, and its public spaces. I thank the BPCA team, our partners at the Battery Conservancy, our local elected officials, and the range of community stakeholders who have come together to effectuate a more resilient future.”

In June, NYC completed the first phase of a separate part of the LMCR strategy that also included raising the waterfront in Battery Park.

A brand-new bike path

Local officials and Battery Park community members reopened the Battery Bikeway last week as part of the celebration of completing flood mitigation. The restored bikeway is a dedicated cycling path with scenic views for riders traversing Manhattan’s southern tip.

“From the unveiling of Wagner Park last July to the official reopening of the Battery Bikeway today, SBPCR represents years of hard work to make Lower Manhattan more resilient, and we are excited to celebrate its culmination with our partners and supporters,” Battery Park City Authority President & CEO Raju Mann said.

Council Member Chris Marte, who represents the area, applauded the reopening of the bikeway and completion of the flood mitigation project.

“The completion of the South Battery Park City Resiliency Project brings new flood protection to our waterfront, from the Museum of Jewish Heritage through Wagner Park and along the Battery,” Marte said. “With the Battery Bikeway reopening, residents, commuters, and visitors will also regain a dedicated cycling connection along the southern tip of Manhattan.”