Adams Administration Breaks Ground on New Stapleton Waterfront Esplanade, Part of Development That Will Include 2,100 Units of Housing, New 600-Seat Public School

September 13, 2024

City, Elected Officials, Community Leaders Celebrate Progress Made on ‘Staten Island North Shore Action Plan’ — $400 Million Investment and Vision for Vibrant Mixed-Use Community

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced his administration has broken ground on 12 acres of interconnected public open space on the New Stapleton Waterfront, continuing the progress the administration has made on its Staten Island North Shore Action Plan. The action plan — announced by Mayor Adams and New York City Councilmember Kamillah Hanks in September 2023 — outlines a four-year roadmap for a clear and unified vision for the future of Staten Island’s North Shore, with $400 million in city investment, over 20 acres of public space, more than 7,500 family-sustaining jobs, and $3.8 billion in economic impact over 30 years. As a part of this plan, the administration is transforming a 35-acre former United States naval base into a new mixed-use community on the New Stapleton Waterfront, set within a framework of open space and esplanades. In total, the New Stapleton Waterfront will bring over 2,100 mixed-income residential units, ground floor retail, a 600-seat public school, additional community facilities, and 12 acres of interconnected public open space to Staten Island’s North Shore.

“We’ve made it clear: In our administration, Staten Island is no longer the forgotten borough,” said Mayor Adams. “We’ve made tremendous progress on our North Shore Action Plan in the 12 months since we announced our $400 million investment in new housing, jobs, education, and open space on Staten Island, and by breaking ground on 12 acres of new public space on the New Stapleton Waterfront, we are making clear that we won’t stop until we deliver on all our promises to this community.”

“This administration is committed to finding underutilized public land and activating that land for the public good. The North Shore Action Plan is doing just that, turning two miles of vacant, inaccessible coastline into thousands of homes and jobs and over 20 acres of public open space,” said Deputy Mayor of Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “In just a year since announcing this plan, major progress has been made on every component and in every neighborhood. I want to thank the NYCEDC team for their tireless efforts on this project, as well as Councilmember Kamillah Hanks for her steadfast support.”

“Good new housing is one of New York’s most urgent needs. Ancillary investments from park space to school seats must come alongside — delivering vibrant, whole communities that meet the needs of the people who live there,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “The Stapleton Waterfront Esplanade is a prime example of holistic development to support whole, connected communities and healthy, sustainable growth.”

“Breaking ground on the next phase of this mixed-use waterfront site marks another key milestone in the Adams administration’s commitment to Staten Island’s North Shore,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “In the year since announcing the Action Plan, from housing to greenspace, significant progress has been made on bringing to life a revitalized North Shore that has long been promised to Staten Islanders.”

"As Mayor Adams continues to deliver on new housing, it is crucial that we invest in new schools to meet increased seat demand,” said School Construction Authority (SCA) President and CEO Nina Kubota. “The new school the SCA is constructing will meet our children’s educational needs and serve as a vital center for community connection and growth. By aligning educational infrastructure with residential development, we ensure that every family has access to quality education right in their neighborhood, fostering a brighter future for all."

“Improving connectivity is integral to DOT’s mission and we are thrilled to be able more easily bring North Shore residents to their waterfront with new open space — including new, dedicated space for pedestrians and cyclists,” said New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “This project will deliver new housing and jobs and improve safety for everyone traveling along Front Street and will complement our planning for a greenway along the North Shore waterfront. We thank Mayor Adams, NYCEDC, and NYC Parks for their coordination and efforts to invest in the community.”

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the groundbreaking for 12 acres of new open space, the latest phase of the North Shore Action Plan that’s making vital and long-promised infrastructure improvements for Staten Island. In addition to improving waterfront access and creating new housing and jobs, this major investment will provide the borough with its first new NYC Parks recreation center in over 14 years,” said New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “We’re grateful to Mayor Adams, NYCEDC, and Councilmember Hanks for their commitment to revitalizing the North Shore and making it a more vibrant place for New Yorkers and visitors alike.”

“This groundbreaking marks a significant milestone in our work to create a brighter future for the North Shore,” said New York City Department of City Planning Director and City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick. “With new homes, jobs, waterfront open space, and amenities, the New Stapleton Waterfront is truly a Staten Island success story. And with ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,’ we can achieve many more wins towards our goal of a more affordable, vibrant New York.”

“As a lifelong resident of Staten Island’s North Shore, I am incredibly proud to see the vision for our community taking shape,” said New York City Councilmember Kamillah M. Hanks. “The groundbreaking on the New Stapleton Waterfront Esplanade is a significant milestone in our efforts to bring vibrant, sustainable development to this area. This project not only represents an investment in much-needed housing and public space but also a commitment to building a stronger future for our families, creating opportunities for local jobs, and enhancing the quality of life for all Staten Islanders. I look forward to the positive impact this development will have on generations to come.”

Today’s groundbreaking most immediately focuses on the rehabilitation of Front Street to improve vehicular traffic and introduce pedestrian and bicycle connectivity. Additional improvements will also include roadway realignment, new roadside lighting, separate pedestrian and cycling paths, roadside planters featuring native plants, and additional pedestrian crosswalks.

In the year since launching the North Shore Action Plan, the city has already advanced many of its initiatives, including:

• In September 2023, the Tompkinsville Esplanade received its ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Process) approval from the City Council.
• In November 2023, HPD released its RFP to redevelop the Jersey Street sanitation garage to include new housing and community amenities.
• Shortly after, the NYCEDC released an RFP for the former New York Wheel site, now known as the North Shore Entertainment and Amusement site, which will deliver a premier recreational destination for the region with entertainment, amusement, and retail uses along with over seven acres of public open space. 
• In January, NYCEDC and DOT released an RFP for a concession operator aboard the Staten Island Ferry.
• In February, Mayor Adams and NYC Parks broke ground on the Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center in Tompkinsville, the first groundbreaking for a recreation center on Staten Island in over 14 years.
• This past spring, NYCEDC released an RFP to redevelop two parcels of vacant land on the New Stapleton Waterfront, following demolition of existing structures completed last year. That redevelopment will create more than 500 market rate and affordable housing units.

“This groundbreaking marks not only the one-year anniversary of the North Shore Action Plan, but the start of a new chapter for the North Shore waterfront,” said New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. “Projects like this will create jobs, stimulating our local economy, and turn our waterfront into a destination that residents and visitors alike will come to. This is a testament to what can be achieved with community collaboration and city investment, and I am excited to see the positive impact this will have on my district.”

"I am honored to stand with our community partners to celebrate this significant milestone,” said New York State Assemblymember Charles D. Fall. “Our collective efforts and shared vision for a revitalized North Shore will drive economic growth and instill a renewed sense of pride in our community. Together, we will build a brighter future for our residents, ensuring that the North Shore remains a vibrant place to live, work, and grow." 

“We remain committed to enhance and to improve the North Shore Waterfront,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. “It is a jewel. Working together with Mayor Adams, Councilmember Hanks and others, we will ignite the engine and focus on smart, mixed-use developments that adds to the character of Staten Island, especially along the waterfront. We thank the mayor for his partnership.”

“For far too long, Staten Island's North Shore waterfront represented nothing more than broken promises and wasted potential,” said Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon. “With breathtaking views of our city's iconic and stunning skyline, our waterfront should be considered the crown jewel of our beloved borough - instead, it became a painful reminder of the inequities our borough faces compared to our neighboring counterparts. However, hope is on the horizon thanks to Mayor Eric Adams and Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks. Today, ground will be broken and progress hopefully made towards delivering an interconnected, public, and walkable North Shore waterfront for Staten Island. With plans for a new school, affordable housing, and over a dozen acres of interconnected open space for residents to enjoy, the development of our borough’s waterfront will go a long way towards not only improving public safety but fully realizing our borough's true potential.” 

“Community Board 1 is ecstatic to see a long-term plan come to fruition, including much needed school seats, housing, good paying jobs and most important community access to our waterfront,” said Nicholas Siclari, chair, Community Board 1. ”This plan will revitalize Stapleton and surrounding area. Thank you, Mayor Adams, Councilmember Kamillah Hanks and NYCEDC!”

“The Van Duzer Civic Association is thankful to Mayor Eric Adams, Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, Borough President Vito Fossella and NYCEDC for spearheading the new Stapleton Waterfront Esplanade,” said Peter Lisi, president, Van Duzer Civic Association. “Staten Island’s North Shore will finally receive the functional waterfront it deserves, just like the rest of New York City. Staten Island is no longer the forgotten borough. Demolition of multiple vacant and derelict buildings is already complete, paving the way to one of Staten Island’s greatest revitalization efforts. This project will finally spur the much-needed housing, school seats and open space waterfront access residents and tourists were promised for decades.  New York City’s current elected administration heard the pleas for help from their constituents, then they came, saw, and conquered.”

“After many long years of discussion and advocacy, the St. George Civic Association is excited to see the North Shore Action Plan become a reality with today's groundbreaking ceremony,” said Eileen Harrington, president, St. George Civic Association. “We are truly hopeful and look forward with anticipation as the work continues along the waterfront to St. George.”