CONEY ISLAND – Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s announcement that the city signed a contract with Thor Equities to acquire 6.9-acres in Coney Island for $95.6 million was met with enthusiasm Thursday.

Next on the agenda for the city is issuing a Request for Proposals for a professional amusement park operator. While it will be owned by the city itself, a dedicated part of the site will be leased to an amusement developer beginning in summer 2010.

Astroland Park, which operated on the site since 1962, pulled out its rides before last season after a lease dispute with Thor – whose owner, Joe Sitt, also spoke at Thursday’s press conference. A temporary park with carnival midway-type attractions proved unpopular, and the venue was actually closed for several days because it owed back rent.

The acquisition of the land from Sitt is part of the overall Coney Island Plan that was approved by the City Council in July. It will preserve and grow the historic amusement area; create a mixed-use neighborhood with new retail options and nearly 5,000 new units of housing, and is expected to generate more than 25,000 construction jobs and 6,000 permanent jobs.

Recchia Singled Out for Praise

The mayor was joined at the announcement by Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Counciman Domenic M. Recchia., State Sen. Diane J. Savino, Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny and others. Several of the speakers, including Bloomberg, singled out Recchia as the official who has done the most to get Coney Island redevelopment moving.

“The city’s acquisition of the land in Coney Island’s historic amusement district marks the beginning of a new era in Coney Island’s history,� said Mayor Bloomberg. “Over the last four decades, the amusement district has dwindled to just three acres, but we’re now reversing that trend  Like New York City’s other great parks, Coney Island’s amusement park will be owned by the public, and its future will be in the hands of New Yorkers who have cherished it for generations.�

Although Borough President Marty Markowitz was not able to be at the conference, he issued a statement saying, “Mayor Bloomberg has been a real friend to Coney Island, and I commend his commitment to creating the year-round, affordable Coney Island of the 21st century. It’s not about profits, it’s about families.� He was represented at the City Hall news conference by Carlo Scissura, his chief of staff.

Recchia said, “With the acquisition of this land, we will have the ability to create a first-class entertainment destination that's open year-round, provides jobs to the people in the community and continues to draw people from around the world.� Addressing the question about why all of the area is not zoned for amusement, he said, “The old zoning didn’t even allow a family restaurant in the amusement area. If you went to Coney Island and were looking for a [sit-down] restaurant, you could go to Gargiulo’s, but that’s it.�

He vowed that “the 50,000 people who live in this community year round� would not be forgotten in the city’s plans.

Dick Zigun, the colorful owner of Coney Island USA, which operates Sideshows by the Seashore and produces the yearly Mermaid Parade, said, “I’m thrilled – it should have been done long ago. Money for this has been in the city’s budget since July, and I was afraid that it was going to be reallocated.�

He added that he wouldn’t be surprised if Carol Albert, who owned Astroland, would bid as an amusement operator. “They didn’t keep those rides in storage for nothing,� he said.

Steeplechase Plaza, Boardwalk

Other measures in the Coney Island Plan include rebuilding parts of the Boardwalk and constructing a brand-new Steeplechase Plaza.

“It is anticipated,� said the official statement from the city, “that existing amusements on other City-owned sites in the neighborhood, including the world-famous Cyclone and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park will continue to be operated by their current operators for the foreseeable future.�

Even the Municipal Art Society, a frequent critic of development plans within the city, said, “This purchase is another positive step toward a revitalized Coney Island. It marks a continuing commitment on the part of the city to return the region’s last great oceanfront parkland to its past splendor.

Under the rezoning plan, the amusement and entertainment district will be bordered by Surf Avenue to the north, the New York Aquarium to the east, the Boardwalk to the south and KeySpan Park to the west.

--Raanan Geberer
Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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