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Shrinking Coney Island Amusement Area Draws Protest
By
John Del Signore
Published May 7, 2008
Modified May 7, 2008
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By
John Del Signore
Published May 7, 2008
Modified May 7, 2008
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Last month the city announced that the space dedicated to amusements in the latest Coney Island rezoning plan would be cut from 15 acres to 9 acres. City officials explained that the downsizing was necessary to accommodate “local landowners” – the biggest of those is developer Joe Sitt, whose glitzy plans were previously derailed by the city for the express purpose of devoting larger space for the amusement park.
Now Sitt’s Thor Equities stands to benefit most from what the city calls a compromise to break a deadlock in the revitalization plans. The reduced amusement park space will mean more land devoted to hotels and high-end shopping, upsetting a vocal coalition of community groups.
Members, who include the Polar Bear Club and Coney Island USA, tell the Post that the new plan “almost abolishes the area's amusement industry in favor of 30-story hotels, retail space and condos, turning the seaside area into a Mall of America.” On May 22nd, opening day at Coney Island beach, the 4,000-strong group promises a massive rally and “freak show” to shoot down the plans.
Photo from a Save Coney Island contingent in last summer's Mermaid Parade courtesy Wally G.
Tagged
amusement
city
coney
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development
equities
island
park
shrink
Sitt
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John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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