In what will be the first step towards transforming the historic Canarsie Pier, U.S. Rep. Edolphus "Ed" Towns (NY-10), Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D – Queens and Brooklyn) and a National Park Service representative announced a plan to revitalize the Brooklyn landmark by attracting vendors to propose plans for the site's use.

At the urging of both Towns and Weiner, NPS recently released a Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) for applicants to submit plans for the creation of a new restaurant. The current dilapidated building, formerly a restaurant called Abbracciamento on the Pier, has been unused since 2002.

Earlier this month, National Parks Service formally announced it would host an open house in May for interested vendors, who will be touring the building as part of the process for revitalizing the 5,500-square foot space.

Originally built in the 1920s, Canarsie Pier was intended as a commercial pier but has mainly been used as a recreational fishing location since it opened. NPS acquired the pier in 1973 as part of the creation of the Gateway National Recreation Area, and the facility was a full-service restaurant from 1976 until 2002. The RFEI process is the first step in reopening this building to the public. 

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