By Linda Collins
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

CONEY ISLAND --- Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz was in Coney Island on Thursday welcoming Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which will be performing at Coney for the first time starting on June 18. Tickets went on sale today.

Also in regards to Coney Island on Thursday, BP Markowitz said he approves the city’s Coney Island Rezoning Plan but “with a few essential conditions.�

These conditions include more amusements, awe-inspiring architecture, and jobs, housing and community facilities for local Coney Island residents.

“After taking into consideration public hearing testimony and suggestions offered by residents, amusement operators and businesses, as well as stakeholders on all sides of the issue, I am pleased to approve the city’s rezoning plan with conditions that I’m confident will allow us to chart the best possible course for the future,� he said in a published statement. “I now ask the City Planning Commission and the [City] Council to move decisively and save one of our city’s greatest icons.� The following are among Markowitz’s specific recommendations:

More Amusements — Increasing ground floor amusement frontage along Surf Avenue, Stillwell Avenue and West 10th Street, and increaing it to 15 percent with a goal of reaching 150,000 square feet.

Awe-Inspring Architecture — Establishing a Coney Island Design Committee charged with ensuring that Coney remains unique, creative and iconic with “thrilling, over-the-top design.�

Build With Coney, By Coney, For Coney — Requiring targeted outreach so that Coney Island residents benefit by obtaining not less than 50 percent of new jobs with livable wages; encouraging developers to provide space for small businesses; offering discounts to show appreciation for residents’ participation; and guaranteeing affordable housing as well as increasing the percentage from 20 to 35 of total units built.

Additionally, Markowitz asks for respect to be paid to those long-standing businesses whose proprietors have “kept the faith� during the lean times — like Deno’s Wonder Wheel and Gargiulo’s Restaurant — by working with them on zoning requests; and he recommends the city address the lack of indorr recreational space and need for access to healthy foods.

Commending the mayor and city officials for prioritizing the creation of a year-round affordable Coney Island for the 21st century, Markowitz said, “I stand with the Coney Island community and all Brooklynites and New Yorkers and say loud and clear that Coney Ilsnad is indeed really fun, and really open.�

The rezoning plan now goes before the Planning Commission, which has scheduled a public hearing beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, at New York City College of Technology (City Tech), Klitgord Auditorium, corner of Tillary and Jay streets in Downtown Brooklyn.

Community-Labor Coalition Responds to BP’s Recommendations

A coalition of labor unions, civic groups and community residents commended the borough president for his support for quality jobs and affordable housing, but cautioned that “his recommendations don’t go far enough.�

The organization, which represents more than 250,000 workers and families, includes groups such as ACORN, SEIU 32BJ, RWDSU, the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, UFCW, New York Jobs with Justice and the Pratt Center for Community Development.

“It’s clear from his recommendations that the Borough President understands quality jobs must be at the heart of Coney Island’s revitalization in order for the development to bring real benefits to the community,� said Pat Boone, president of ACORN. “When you look at current neighborhood income levels, expiring subsidy programs like Mitchell-Lama, and the phenomenon of ‘predatory equity,’ you can understand how critical it is to have the maximum possible affordable housing in the Coney Island redevelopment plan.�

The coalition will continue to press for an improved rezoning plan at the Planning Commission’s May 6 public hearing. The group’s platform advocates good jobs with responsible employers, creating and preserving a majority of affordable housing, strengthening the amusement area, and bringing much-needed public amenities like a school, supermarket and improved transit.

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