New York City Parks has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development and construction, operation, and maintenance of a high quality cafe on Midland Beach in Staten Island.
The cafe will be located on an entry plaza to Midland Beach, adjacent to the Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier, one of the most popular piers in New York City.
The newly constructed plaza features a splash fountain, performance gazebo, and the new Fantasy Shore children’s amusement park.
The site also hosts summer concerts, fireworks, and the new Staten Island Beach Fest, which drew thousands of visitors this summer.
The deveopment opportunity is part of a package of initiatives dedicated to recovery, resiliency, and long-term planning throughout the island.
The RFP is part of a broader effort to activate Staten Island’s public beachfronts and open spaces from South Beach to Conference House Park, in order to strengthen long-term economic recovery, a key strategy in the City’s overall resiliency plan that is being implemented by the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency (ORR) along with NYC Parks and other City agencies.
The plan is putting forward initiatives to strengthen coastal defenses with protection measures like the sand dunes and levees along Staten Island’s East and South Shore, upgrade buildings, protect City infrastructure and invest in green infrastructure like the Staten Island Bluebelts, and make neighborhoods safer and more vibrant.
NYC Parks and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), in partnership with ORR, had previously released a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for the reactivation of Staten Island’s public beachfronts and open spaces.
The RFEI sought proposals to help areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy continue to recover and re-emerge as destinations for residents and visitors. The City received proposals from Staten Island organizations and businesses, which included ideas for an amusement park, food concessions, family events, and art performances.
Stemming from the RFEI, this summer NYC Parks opened up the new Fantasy Shore amusement park at Midland Beach, and hosted events (organized by the Vanderbilt’s South Beach Restaurant Corporation) which included weekly fireworks, a sunset festival, and movies on the beach.
A Staten Island Beach Fest showcased local talents, foods and businesses at Midland Beach, drawing thousands of visitors for sandcastle exhibitions, music, local food vendors and over 50 activities and events.
