PlanNYC: Coney Island Development News

Coney Island Redevelopment Remains Controversial

2008-07-04 00:00:00

As developer Thor Equities hopes to break ground on its Coney Island development plan sometime in 2009, tensions between Coney Island residents, the City, and the developer continue to grow. The City originally released a proposal for redeveloping the famed amusement area in 2007. The amount of space in the plan dedicated to amusement uses was later reduced from 15 to 9 acres, a move that frustrated many Coney Island preservationists. Many in the community continue to worry that Thor's redevelopment, which includes residential and retail uses, will compromise the authentic nature of the amusement area.

Housing Advocates Call for More Affordable Housing in Coney Island

2008-06-25 00:00:00

Community housing advocates, Acorn and the Pratt Center for Community Development, are pressuring the City to require more affordable housing in the Coney Island Redevelopment Plan. Both groups would like to see requirements put into place for developers to have a certain number of affordable units. Advocates worry that the 900 units of affordable housing that the City has proposed are not enough to mitigate the expected loss of affordable units because of the project's completion.

Scoping Session Held for Coney Island Redevelopment

2008-06-25 00:00:00

A scoping session was held in anticipation of the public review process that will begin for the redevelopment plans for Coney Island. The scoping session is used as an opportunity for the public to comment on subject areas that should be included in an Environmental Impact Statement. Many in attendance used the session as an opportunity to voice their concerns about the city�s plan for the area.

Coney �Mayor� to Resign from Coney Island Development Corp

2008-06-19 00:00:00

In an Op-ed, Dick Zigun, known at the Mayor of Coney Island, announced that he will be resigning from his post with the Coney Island Development Corporation (CIDC) effective Tuesday when the City is expected to release its plans for the amusement park area. The CIDC was charted by the City to develop a master plan for the area, a process which took 4 years of public outreach and work. Zigun contends that now the City is pushing a plan that has not had any public input and will destroy the amusement district with high rise buildings and other development.

Diverse Opinions Expected at June 24 Coney Island Public Meeting

2008-06-09 00:00:00

A scoping meeting for Coney Island redevelopment project will be held on June 24 at Lincoln High School. The meeting will be open to the public and its purpose is to get feedback on areas to study and include in the Environmental Impact Statement, which is required by the City�s charter to study the effects of the proposed redevelopment on the surrounding area. The Brooklyn Eagle predicts that the meeting will also serve as a platform for opponents and proponents of the plan to voice their opinions about the project. Many people, including Dick Zigun who recently resigned his position as a member of the Coney Island Development Corp.�s (CIDC) board, feel that the City�s newest plans for the area are not in line with what the community wants and needs. The City�s most recent proposal designates only 9 acres out of 61 for amusements and includes the development of hotel towers on the beach side of Surf Avenue.

Coney Island Development Corporation Board Member Steps Down

2008-06-04 00:00:00

Dick Zigun, sometimes referred to as the mayor of Coney Island, resigned from the Coney Island Development Corporation (CIDC) board of directors to protest amendments being made to the area's development plan. The CIDC works in conjunction with the City and developer Thor Equities in order to come up with appropriate zoning guidelines and restrictions for new development to occur in the area. Zigun states that amendments to the plan, including a mall, are not in the best interest of the area.

�Summer of Hope� in Coney Island

2008-05-16 00:00:00

Developer Thor Equities has been placing ads and sending out press releases announcing the 2008 summer season as the �Summer of Hope� in Coney Island. The ads highlight the events and amusements that will be available to the public over the summer, including rides, a petting zoo and �family-friendly sideshows.� The campaign has been released as city officials continue trying to negotiate a deal to develop some of the land currently occupied by the amusement park into a mixed used development. Meanwhile a public protest against the development plans is scheduled for May 22.

Community Plans Protest of City�s Coney Island Plans

2008-05-07 00:00:00

Community organizations have announced that they plan to protest the revised rezoning plan for Coney Island at the May 22 opening of the neighborhood�s beach and amusement park. Protestors argue that the rezoning plan, which reduces the 15-acre amusement park to 9 acres, will turn the area into a �Mall of America.� The City believes the new plan will create a �significantly expanded and enhanced amusement district.� The city altered its plans when it was not able to acquire land from private owners.

City, Landowner Clash Over Retail Zoning at Coney Island

2008-04-29 00:00:00

Joseph Sitt, who owns most of the land on which Coney Island is situated, is battling with the City over the development of his property just north of an 9 acre area zoned for amusement. Sitt is concerned about the types of retail that will be allowed under the zoning proposal � he thinks that the City�s proposal is too restrictive and will scare off potential tenants and investors. The City believes that the proposed restrictions are broad enough to allow in a number of stores while still keeping the area unique. The City has suggested that national retailers that have a common theme would be most suitable for the space.

City Unveils New Plans for Coney Island

2008-04-17 00:00:00

The City has released updated plans for Coney Island in an attempt to create a �year-round attraction.� City officials hope that the new plan will appease both area landowners and elected officials. The revised plan proposes to cutback the amount of city-owned open-air amusement space from 15 acres to 9 acres. The plan will still include a significant amount of retail and up to 5,000 units of housing. The City plans to purchase land from current property owners in order to develop a �permanent amusement district.� These owners, including Thor Equities and the Vourderis family, would be permitted to develop their unsold land as long as it complies with the City�s master plan.

Coney�s Parachute Redesign Costs $4 million

2008-04-11 00:00:00

The iconic parachute jump in Coney Island and the surrounding ground area is being redesigned by a team of architects that includes a landscape architect, water and lighting specialists and entertainment-based developers at a price of $4 million. The cost does not include construction costs just fees for a team of eight architects to rehaul the design. The site, totaling 2.2 acres, will house the Steeplechase Pavilion, with the B&B Carousell, restaurants and possibly an observation deck. Some architects not affiliated with the project have said that the $4 million cost is almost triple what the city generally pays on projects after competitive bidding.

$20 Billion in Development At Risk Due to Slowing Economy

2008-03-31 00:00:00

Due to the slowing economy, over $20 billion in development projects in the City could be scaled back, significantly delayed or even killed. The affected projects include Moynihan Station, Fulton Station, Atlantic Yards, Coney Island and the World Trade Center redevelopment. According to Robert Yaro, president of the Regional Plan Association, �We�re not going to throw in the towel on any of these projects, but less dramatic and less expensive designs may be needed.�

Private Developer May Be Back In Coney Island Development Proposal

2008-03-28 00:00:00

Six months ago the City announced plans to create a new 15-acre park in Coney Island that would be solely developed by the City, not private developers. The City has backtracked a bit from that vision, saying now that private developers, including developer Joe Sitt who wants to create a glitzy area with shops, rides and hotels, may have a role in the redevelopment plans. The changes in plans could be due to the lack financial feasible from the City to purchase land from private developers, including 11 acres owned by Sitt. The City has ruled out using condemnation to build the park area.

City May Change Course on Coney Island Development Plans

2008-03-20 00:00:00

There have been hints that the city may backtrack from plans it announced in November of last year to buyout private landowners so it could be the sole developer of a new Coney Island amusement district. Now, the city is hinting that it is trying to work out a deal with private developers, a reverse of its November plan. There is speculation that the change in course stems from local political opposition to the city�s plan that would need approval from the City Council.

Plan to Fix Coney Boardwalk Not Likely to Happen Before Summer

2008-03-11 00:00:00

The city has announced plans to fix two and half blocks of the Coney Island boardwalk, although it is unlikely that it will be done in time for this summer. In 2007 there were many complaints about the deteriorating boardwalk that were causing dangerous conditions for pedestrians. Under the city�s plan, the Department of Parks and Recreation will continue to make emergency fixes but will not begin replacement until after the busy summer season. The city will also replace the boardwalk with a mixture of concrete and synthetic material that resembles wood, as part of an effort to use more sustainable materials. The material change was approved by local officials earlier this year. The city estimates that fixing the entire boardwalk would cost $200 million.