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Public Imagines a Future Coney Island
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 14, 2009
Modified Jan 14, 2009
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 14, 2009
Modified Jan 14, 2009
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Tonight the Municipal Art Society will present the public ideas for Coney Island, as well as outline their ideas for revitalization (a preview from tonight's meeting after the jump). MAS President Vin Cipolla said that “The extraordinary array of ImagineConey submissions from the public is a reminder of Coney Island's unique potential as New York's great waterfront destination. Building on the City’s work so far, we must take the steps necessary to realize that potential and create a truly original destination and economic engine for New Yorkers and tourists alike.”
Some of the renderings are available on Flickr, and while the "Don't Feed the Yuppies" cage renderings are amazing in their own right, there is nothing (nothing) that comes close to the genius of bringing a cloned animal exhibit to Coney Island. The synergy with Hollywood alone would be worth it, just picture these words on the marquee: Coney Island Clone Animals Attack! And while the tourists will continue to be amazed, you know after a few weeks locals will all be disaffected by the rooster dogs.
Building on the City’s recent actions to revitalize the area, MAS will also set forth the steps it believes are necessary to successfully return Coney Island to its former place as a dynamic and robust entertainment and amusement destination:
- New York City Should Buy the Land for an Amusement Area. At current land values, it is unrealistic to expect private developers to construct amusements in Coney Island. Building on it’s successful effort to purchase a parcel last November, New York City should purchase enough land for a Coney Island Amusement Area of sufficient scale that could then be managed by a private, third-party entity overseeing a mix of large, small and mid-scale operators.
- Refine Vision for a Viable Coney Island. Building on the strategic plan developed by the city, key stakeholders should develop a specific master plan for Coney Island that incorporates 25 acres of amusements, excluding retail and hotel uses, to support a minimum of 3.4 million visitors annually. The refined vision should include a signature, iconic ride that re-establishes Coney Island as world-class destination and enough rides to support up to 15,000 visitors at any one time.
- Shape the Zoning to Complement Refined Vision. New York City should ensure that its zoning for Coney Island North and West requires entertainment-related uses - including hotels and entertainment-related retail - that complement the activity in the amusement district.
- Launch Interim Programming to Support Area in Short-Term. Coney Island cannot be allowed to lie fallow in the upcoming years. Key stakeholders should engage a producer to develop short- and longer-term programming in Coney Island using existing and temporary spaces to ensure activity and attract visitors to Coney Island while long-term development efforts take shape.
Tagged
brooklyn
clone animals
coney island
Imagine Coney
mas
public designs
renderings
the Future of Coney Island
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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