First phase of Lower Manhattan’s Battery Coastal Resilience Project complete

The first phase of The Battery Coastal Resilience Project in Lower Manhattan—led by the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation—is now complete. Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, is the project’s lead designer, providing engineering, landscape architecture, and environmental services.

The Battery sees millions of visitors each year and is home to extensive gardens, artwork, and cultural landmarks. It also serves as the departure point for vessels to the Statue of Liberty. The wharf has deteriorated in recent years and sits at an elevation that is particularly vulnerable as sea levels rise.

The project emerged from New York City’s long-term climate planning—accelerated following Hurricane Sandy—to protect Lower Manhattan from coastal flooding. It is part of a broader, multibillion-dollar coastal resilience initiative that is funded primarily through City capital investments. Once completed, the initiative will help protect more than 100,000 residents, 300,000 jobs and 12,000 businesses.

“The Battery is an iconic New York City waterfront destination,” said Greg Sprich, senior principal and project manager at Stantec. “This first phase marks an important step in rebuilding and elevating the wharf to respond to climate-driven risks and support the long-term resilience of the park.”

Supporting historical character
Construction was divided into two phases, allowing ferry service to remain in operation throughout. During phase one, the western segment of the wharf was reconstructed and raised approximately five feet to protect the park from tidal flooding. As part of this work, stormwater measures were upgraded, accessibility was improved, and several artworks were restored. The Gardens of Remembrance, which run the full length of the wharf, will be fully recreated, alongside new gardens and trees flanking Castle Clinton. The memorial honors victims of the September 11 attacks and commemorates the thousands of survivors who were evacuated to safety aboard ferries departing from The Battery.

The second phase of the project is now underway, with completion anticipated in 2027. This phase will complete the reconstruction and elevation of the wharf.

“Our goal is to preserve the experience that defines The Battery,” said Amy Seek, design director with Stantec’s landscape architecture practice. “The design keeps the park’s familiar and beloved character, while preparing it to serve future generations.”

Award-winning sustainable design
A new multilevel slip provides universal access from the wharf to vessels of various sizes. Designed to account for the wide range of sea level elevations expected from present day through 2100, the slip can be adapted as sea levels rise, providing flexibility under uncertain future conditions and extending the service life of the wharf.

The project implemented an ambitious material-reuse program to preserve the historic character of the Battery while reducing waste and carbon footprint. Stone, wood, and metals removed during construction were catalogued, stored, refurbished, and reinstalled wherever feasible. Combined with low-carbon material sourcing, these efforts contributed to the project earning an Envision Platinum Certification from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure—the highest level of recognition for sustainability performance.

Learn more about resilience planning, engineering, and design at Stantec.

About Stantec
Stantec empowers clients, people, and communities to rise to the world’s greatest challenges at a time when the world faces more unprecedented concerns than ever before.   

We are a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. ​Our professionals deliver the expertise, technology, and innovation communities need to manage aging infrastructure, demographic and population changes, the energy transition, and more. ​

Today’s communities transcend geographic borders. At Stantec, community means everyone with an interest in the work that we do—from our project teams and industry colleagues to our clients and the people our work impacts. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure.  ​

We are designers, engineers, scientists, project managers, and strategic advisors. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.​

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Media Contact
Trevor Eckart
Stantec Media Relations
Ph: (215) 665-7187
trevor.eckart@stantec.com