Rockaway Beach Boardwalk To Be Completed By End of 2016: Parks View Full Caption

ROCKAWAY BEACH — The Parks Department released renderings for the rebuilt Rockaway Beach boardwalk this week, showing design options for the new concrete stretch that may not be completed until at least the end of 2016, officials said.

Designs to rebuild the boardwalk, which was partially destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, include a boardwalk with a wavy pattern, another with blue stones scattered in the concrete. The boardwalk designs, as well as the accompanying details including lamppost designs and benches were shown to the public for the first time at a community board meeting on Nov. 18.

First Deputy Commissioner of Parks Liam Kavanagh discussed the plans with the community on Monday and told DNAinfo New York that he expects the project will be finished by December 2016 — in time for the 2017 beach season.

"Obviously we'd like to get it done quicker," Kavanagh said. "We're going to be looking for ways to expedite construction, and expedite the finish if we can."

The Parks Department previously had wavered on its expected completion date.

The project is still awaiting approval from the National Environmental Policy unit for its environmental impact study, but Kavanagh said he thinks that will be ready by January 2014. The government shutdown and additional features had delayed construction, which was originally supposed to begin at the end of the year.

The rebuilt sections, which will be made out of concrete instead of wood, will be elevated above the boardwalk's former height to comply with new FEMA flood standards, and it will be 7 feet higher than the original boardwalk at some locations.

The Parks Department said it hopes to begin construction at Beach 88th Street and work west, but will be able to work on various different parts of the peninsula simultaneously once construction begins.

The first section of the project, between the concession stands on Beach 86th Street and Beach 97th Street, will hopefully be completed sometime in summer 2014, Kavanagh said. He did not have a more specific date.

The project will cost an estimated $200 million, according to the city.