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City Announces Ringling Bros. Circus Tent At Coney Island
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 18, 2009
Modified Apr 18, 2009
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resplendent in red coat and top hat
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 18, 2009
Modified Apr 18, 2009
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Mayor Bloomberg announced that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will be setting up a seaside tent at Coney Island this summer: "For the first time in its 139-year history, The Greatest Show On Earth will make its way to one of the greatest neighborhoods in New York City - Coney Island."
The one-ring circus, “The Coney Island Boom-A-Ring!" complete with tigers, elephants, acrobats and more, will be occupying a lot west of the Brooklyn Cyclones owned by Taconic Properties. Tickets go on sale April 30 for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances between June 18 and September 7. According to Ringling, ticket holders can meet performers and animals an hour before showtime.
Originally the city was hoping to place the circus at the former Astroland lot, but negotiations with property owner, Thor Equities, fell apart. According to the NY Times, Bloomberg said "the city worked with Taconic to find the land, which will be provided to Ringling at no charge, though the circus will pay its operational costs... The city is not paying Taconic for Ringling’s use of the land."
Ringling told the Times says it spent hundreds of thousands to ship the 2,300-seat tent to Brooklyn; Ringling owner Kenneth Feld said that due to the recession, "A lot of people may be curtailing their travel plans this summer, and we hope many of them will gravitate to our show... We are hoping to become a permanent part of the whole Coney Island revitalization. The mayor has a vision for this neighborhood, and we are proud to be part of that vision." And speaking of that vision: The city is playing hardball with Thor over the 10.5 acres of Coney Island property it acquired; Bloomberg says the city's offer of $105 million is final, which is actually $5 million less than a previous offer.
Tagged
brooklyn
circus
coney island
mayor bloomberg
ringling bros circus
thor equities
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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