In addition, I think your readers would be very interested to see what the new boardwalk will actually look like after reconstruction. To that end, I'd love it if you could include the attached photos of Steeplechase Pier (credit Daniel Avila), which after being reconstructed using the same materials we have planned for Coney Island Boardwalk, is already being enjoyed by New Yorkers.
STATEMENT: The new Coney Island Boardwalk will be enjoyable, long-lasting, and environmentally sound. The new boardwalk’s combination of materials mirrors the look and feel of the traditional boardwalk while adding strength and resilience proven to stand up to floods and hurricanes, and it will provide protection for Coney Island residents and businesses. As a coastal city, it's more important than ever for us to use resilient, sustainable materials. Recycled plastic lumber boards and concrete are much more resilient and sustainable, and fared better during Sandy.
Background:
• The boardwalk will NOT be paved but for a narrow emergency vehicle roadway - rather it will be made of recycled plastic lumber boards set atop a
strong concrete substructure. This combination mirrors the look and feel of the traditional boardwalk while adding strength and resilience proven to stand up to floods and hurricanes.
• At a June City Council Hearing of the Parks Committee and the Committee on Recovery and Resiliency it was made clear that the de Blasio
Administration would maintain the policy of reducing the use of tropical hardwoods for reasons of sustainability and added resiliency
• Recycled plastic lumber has a long life expectancy; it is sustainable and reduces plastic entering landfills or NYC waterways; it’s more easily
maintained in the coastal environment; it maintains the look of a boardwalk.
• To re-construct all 900,000 sq ft of the Coney Island boardwalk, including decking, beams and blocking, would destroy thousands of acres of tropical
rainforest. The destruction of tropical rainforests has been shown to be an important factor in global climate change.
• Domestic hardwood lumber utilized to construct the boardwalk in the 1900s was primarily old growth, whereas lumber available today is new
growth and subject to earlier decay. Tropical Hardwood species utilized to construct the boardwalk have gradually been depleted resulting in catastrophic rainforest destruction.
• This boardwalk project was originally scoped to use only concrete to replace the wood; after hearing community concerns and in agreement with
the Public Design Commission, it was decided to use concrete in the center carriage lane and recycled plastic lumber in slats on either side of the
lane.
• Replacement costs for the boardwalk would be, $126 a square foot for concrete slab with RPL decking; for all wood the cost would be
approximately $144 a sq foot.
• The boardwalk replacement project currently under way in Rockaway Beach is using concrete slats, not hardwood.
• Construction on the boardwalk began in November 2014, and is expected to be completed in time for the 2016 beach season.
Thanks,
Maeri
