Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Coney Island Amphitheater Critics Hurting Markowitz's Feelings
By
John Del Signore
Published Jun 1, 2009
Modified Jun 1, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Jun 1, 2009
Modified Jun 1, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
All Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz wants to do is build a nice little $64 million concert hall in Coney Island's Asser Levy Park, but the local critics won't stop trying to undermine him. Opponents say that besides gobbling up precious park land, it would be so close to nearby synagogues that concerts couldn't be scheduled on Friday nights and Saturdays, because city law bans amplified sound within 500 feet of a place of worship during religious services. Also, they think it looks weird. Opposition leader Ida Sanoff tells the Daily News, "It's going to be like a spaceship plunked down in the middle of a park across from people's bedrooms." And all this negativity is really starting to get to Marty, who says the criticism's "hurtful because I don't deserve it. I've entertained the people in that neighborhood since 1991. I've put a smile on their face for 31 years. Why would I want them to frown?" The amphitheater's architect promises the state-of-the-art sound design would focus the sound toward the audience, not the neighbors, but naysayers like Sanoff remain unconvinced: "We don't need this. We have benches and walkways now." Construction's expected to start in the fall anyway.
Tagged
amphitheater
bandshell
coney island
marty markowitz
synagogue
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.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC's horse carriage industry facing potential extinction with Thursday Council vote
The mayor and City Council struck a deal to end the practice after years of protest.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 11:48 a.m. ET
Jersey City housing development deal expected to send money to schools, city government
The Canal Crossing project broke ground this week, with plans for housing, 20,000 square feet of commercial space and a public park.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Jersey City housing development deal expected to send money to schools, city government
The Canal Crossing project broke ground this week, with plans for housing, 20,000 square feet of commercial space and a public park.
By
Michael Sol Warren
The divide among Mamdani allies over reforming the NYPD
By
Elizabeth Kim
How NY Gov. Hochul, Bruce Blakeman would tackle rising electric, heat bills
By
Jon Campbell
Early Addition: Some NYC workers got up extremely early to commute from the Poconos
By
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .