The BIG U was named as one of the winners of the Rebuild by Design competition. The project, led by BIG / Bjarke Ingels Group and including AEA Consulting as the arts and cultural consultant, was awarded $335 million in funding from the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery program. Those funds will be used to create the first phase of the BIG U project, a "bridging berm" along East River Park that combines flood protection with increased park accessibility and new spots for resting, socializing, and enjoying views of the park and river.

Overall, Rebuild by Design awarded approximately $920 million toward recovery and resiliency projects in New York, New Jersey, and New York City. The full press release from HUD can be found here. Our congratulations to all the winning teams, as well as to everyone at HUD as the process continues toward implementation!