Image courtesy of Boston Planning & Development Agency

An engineering firm will draw up designs for a 2,000-foot-long flood barrier to protect the Gillette Co. property and development sites in Fort Point from rising seas.

Boston Planning & Development Agency officials approved a $2-million contract with AECOM Technical Services Inc. for the 6-foot-tall elevated berm, planned on the eastern side of the channel from Necco Street to Dorchester Avenue.

The project is designed to protect 31 buildings from flooding, according to project documents.

The Climate Ready Boston study recommended the flood barrier be constructed in response to a projected 70-inch rise in Boston Harbor sea levels by 2070. The estimated cost is $20.5 million.

AECOM’s team includes Weston & Sampson, Woods Hole Group, City Point Partners, DCW Consultants, GeoLogic Earth Exploration and Brennan Consulting. The engineering study is expected to take 14 months, followed by a selection of a construction company.

Chris Busch, the BPDA’s deputy director for climate and environmental planning, said the designs will be coordinated with neighboring property owners, which include Gillette Co., the 15 Necco St. office-lab tower leased to Eli Lilly & Co. and the 1.1 million-square-foot Channelside project planned by Related Beal.

The city has applied for a $10 million FEMA grant to offset the cost of the project.

The construction phase is estimated to take two years to complete, following approvals by 10 government agencies.