NYC publishes RFP seeking operator to update Manhattan helipad for eVTOL aircraft use

Under a plan announced this week, New York City aims to become the first heliport in the world with the infrastructure to support electric flight for freight distribution and last-mile transportation services.

“By developing a facility for last-mile micro-distribution at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, we can hasten the transition of delivery of goods by dangerous, polluting trucks to clean, sustainable modes, such as cargo bikes,” said Rohit Aggarwala, New York City’s chief climate officer, in a statement about the initiative. “Reactivating our waterways for freight mobility and electrifying our transportation systems are key initiatives laid out in PlaNYC that will help us cut transportation emissions in half by 2030.”

Via a new request for proposal (RFP), the New York City Economic Development Corporation is seeking an operator to upgrade the city-owned Downtown Manhattan Heliport to provide supporting infrastructure for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and for maritime freight delivery. The request for proposals also includes onsite workforce development training to equip staff members to be able to manage the logistics of electric flight.

In conjunction with the announcement, two eVTOL aircraft from Joby and Volocopter conducted manned demonstration flights from the helipad—the first time such flights have taken place in the New York City area. Federal Aviation Administration certification of eVTOLs is anticipated as early as 2025, with commercial flights starting shortly thereafter.

“We’re here today to mark a new chapter for one of our most popular assets by embracing new technology,” said Andrew Kimball, CEO of the economic development corporation in a press briefing before the aircraft launched. eVTOLs will “change skies and waterways for the better … creating a cleaner, quieter, better future for New York.”

Beyond the convenience and low emissions of eVTOLs, a number of New York City advocacy organizations highlighted they’re a lot quieter, cutting down on noise pollution in the city. City administrators are also hopeful that electric aircraft reduce vehicle congestion, connecting the city’s waterways and ports with other transportation hubs so that freight can pass smoothly through the region.

“New York City was built around our waterways and we’re inspired by EDC and city hall’s proposal to come back to them as a way to move freight,” said Danny Harris, executive director of Transportation Alternatives in the statement. “As our city faces the worst traffic in the nation, we must continue to look for creative and sustainable solutions like these to keep our people and goods moving that don’t rely on adding more cars and trucks to our roads.”

According to the statement, bids for the contract must include:

• Investments in supporting infrastructure, with chargers and other utility upgrades required for eVTOL certification and commercial viability;
• Incentives to adopt quiet eVTOL technology and address community quality-of-life concerns;
• Development of a facility for last-mile micro-distribution, as one of six waterfront assets funded in part by nearly $1 million of a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD) grant, which was awarded to NYCEDC to create and support a “Marine Highway” network;
• Required, expanded outreach to minority- and women-owned business enterprises for all work, including meeting 30 percent utilization goals for site development and construction activities; and
• Development of workforce development training programs that improve access to career pathways in aviation, maritime, transportation, logistics, and other relevant sectors.

The Economic Development Corporation is also open to suggestions from respondents to rename the Downtown Manhattan Heliport to better reflect the new multimodal and future-forward characteristics of the facility.