NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Paul A. Ochoa announced Skanska USA Building Inc./Claire Weisz Architects, LLP (WXY) as the apparent selected proposer for a design-build project that will construct the new East Side Greenway 14th Street Connector.

The greenway will replace the very narrow path that now exists from East River Park to Captain Patrick J. Brown Walk adjacent to the FDR Drive, commonly known as the "pinch point." The $163 million project will provide a wider path suitable for two-way pedestrian and bike traffic. DDC is managing the project for NYC Department of Transportation and NYC Parks.

"This new greenway will connect two parks on the East Side, allowing for continuous two-way travel for cyclists and pedestrians along the FDR Drive," said Ochoa. "This effort is one of many on the East Side, including the East Side Coastal Resiliency and Brooklyn Bridge-Montgomery Coastal Resilience projects, that will transform the coastline for generations. These infrastructure upgrades are beautifying our City, making it greener and more accessible for New Yorkers. Additionally, using design-build alternative delivery for this project allows us to move forward quicker when doing this type of infrastructure work with 'best-value' for the city."

The project will construct foundations, piers and superstructure of the new greenway to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists traveling along 14th Street, next to the FDR Drive over the East River. The early design includes the installation of benches, trash receptacles and drinking fountains. DDC will hold extensive meetings to compile input from the community for this project. The city will work closely with Con Edison to maintain their operations at the East River Generating Station located at 14th Street and Avenue C. Construction is expected to begin in early 2028, with the design engagement scheduled ahead of the groundbreaking.

Using design-build, DDC is accelerating the project's construction timeline by approximately two years, compared with traditional design bid build. Design-build streamlines design and construction through early collaboration, allowing critical public infrastructure to reach communities faster while saving costs. DDC has already successfully built several public buildings using design-build, including the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center and Queens Garage behind the Queens Borough Hall.