Competition Asks the Public to Redesign Rockaway

“For a Resilient Rockaway” (FAR ROC) aims to create a mixed-use, mixed-income development at Arverne East, an oceanfront flood-hazard zone inundated by Hurricane Sandy. The competition’s joint sponsors include the City of New York, L+M Development Partners, the Bluestone Organization, Triangle Equities, Enterprise Community Partners, and AIA New York. FAR ROC emphasizes both ecological sensitivity and infrastructure that will allow the community to recover from future storms.

Proposals may include up to 1,500 housing units and 500,000 ft2 of commercial space, and must incorporate 35 acres of nature preserve, 9 acres of dune preserve, and a minimum of 3.3 acres of additional open space.

The two-phase competition will accept submissions from individuals and non-licensed firms during Phase One, but the four finalists chosen to proceed to Phase Two will need to involve a licensed architect and engineer. Finalists will be awarded $30,000 to further develop their proposals, and a winner announced in October 2013 will receive an additional prize of $30,000.

Teams are asked to register by May 31, 2013. More information, including the design brief, site surveys, and aerial maps of the Rockaway area, are available at the competition’s website.