Community District
Find the planning projects in your community district.
Brooklyn CD13 Projects
Quick Links
Brooklyn Community District 13
2900 West 8th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11224
Phone: 718.266.3001
Fax: 718.266.3920
Email: churei@aol.com
Quick Links
Coney Island Development Corporation
NYC Parks Department--Coney Island Info
Coney Island Development
Investments in Coney Island, like the construction of the Brooklyn Cyclones’ KeySpan Park, restoration of the Stillwell Avenue Terminal, and development of substantial amounts of infill housing within the community, have all laid the groundwork for further development in Coney Island. In 2003, the City mobilized the Coney Island Development Corporation to plan and implement economic and development strategies like developing vacant property for commercial and residential use, including housing, retail stores and a community center.
The Mayor announced the strategic plan in September 2005, committing $83.2 million in funds to keep the projects rolling. Projects will continue in the area through 2009 as more private funds become available. Recently, Thor Equities has purchased 14 acres of boardwalk land in the hope of building a $1.5 billion entertainment destination. Thor's plans include a mix of amusements, attractions, and housing. Thor's project calls for a water-park-themed hotel, another full-service hotel, time-share facilities, new retail, a multilevel carousel and a 4,000-foot roller coaster. The project is awaiting city approval, but the company hopes to break ground by mid-2008 and wrap up in about five years. In October 2006, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Wildlife Conservation Society chose three designs – stemming from a contest announced in June – for a renovation of the New York Aquarium.
Some long-time vendors will be forced to leave as a result of the revitalization plans, causing concern about what will happen to the unique Coney Island experience. Some opponents also claim that that Thor Equities is less interested in amusement development, and is instead just waiting for the city to make a zoning change that will allow residential development in hopes of being able to ‘flip’ the properties for a substantial profit. In February 2007, Amanda Burden, chair of the Department of City Planning (DCP), announced that the area would be inappropriate for luxury housing, a component of Thor Equities plan that they have described as necessary to finance the amusement area. In response to Ms. Burden’s comments, Thor Equities has proposed confining the 900 units in a single 40 story tower on Stillwell Avenue’s west side near Surf Avenue. This marks Thor’s first compromise from its original plan, which called for spreading the housing out among four boardwalk locations within the proposed 425,000-square-foot amusement complex.
In November 2007, DCP released the comprehensive plan and proposed rezoning for Coney Island. The City’s plan is in accordance with the Mayor’s Strategic Plan previously announced in 2005 and hopes to make Coney Island a year-round entertainment destination with major commercial and housing revitalization. The rezoning covers a 19-block area with the amusement area as a focal point. The existing amusement area will be renovated, rebuilt, and expanded keeping important city landmarks such as the Cyclone intact while also inviting private development of new and improved indoor and outdoor amusements and concessions. This area will be designated as parkland in order to keep the amusement district on Coney Island in perpetuity. Over 4000 units of housing are expected with this rezoning as well. Through the use of the Inclusionary Zoning program 900 units are expected to be affordable. The new zoning will also allow for a wider variety of uses to create a more integrated mixed-use community. The creation of hotels and restaurants, neighborhood retail, connections from Surf Avenue to the beach as well as a continuous beachfront boardwalk and park are just a few of the expected improvements. By creating 3 special districts the City hopes to control the uses, height and density of the development in order to maintain the current view corridors, iconic skyline features, and contextual buildings for the area. Developer Thor Equities is said to be somewhat disappointed with the City’s vision however continues to work with the appropriate agencies and community members in this long process. The City would need to acquire land currently owned by Thor in order to fully realize the plan as well.
As of January 2008 the City has begun holding public meetings to get community feedback and involvement in the process. A public scoping meeting was held on February 13, 2008 to discuss the draft Environmental Impact Statement. There is also a review process involving state legislation due to the loss of parkland associated with the rezoning, as an area near Keyspan Park, currently being used for accessory parking, is being considered for incorporation into the mixed-use district in the comprehensive plan. This State involvement may cause some delay in the process as there is some contention on the issue. The City is expected to certify the ULURP application and send it on to the community board once the draft EIS is complete in Summer 2008.
Recent headlines
AstroLand Rides Not Up for Sale Yet
August 21, 2008
AM New York
New York City's First Amphitheater Planned for Coney Island
August 13, 2008
Brooklyn Eagle
The Future of Coney Island Debated
July 28, 2008
Gotham Gazette