Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
City Council Passes Coney Island Rezoning Plan
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 30, 2009
Modified Jul 30, 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
Jen Chung
Published Jul 30, 2009
Modified Jul 30, 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
After years of discussion, the City Council voted 44-2-1 in favor of rezoning Coney Island per the Bloomberg administration's plan for the 27-acre area, which includes hotels, retail shops, and a new roller coaster. And it looks like the city is working out a deal with Thor Equites' Joe Sitt, the developer who bought much of the land at Coney Island in hopes of his own ambitious hotel-amusement park plans.
Mayor Bloomberg hailed the approval, "Every year, Coney Island has sunk further and further away from its previous glory. That sinking has stopped." And his official statement laid out his plans and hopes:
"Now we move forward with a plan that will return Coney Island to its former glory, ensure its future as a year-round destination for visitors and create a more livable, vibrant community for its residents. For one, Coney Island will grow to include a 27-acre amusement and entertainment district, paving the way for a revitalized seaside destination that will attract New Yorkers and millions of visitors each year. Outside the amusement district, it will create 4,500 new units of housing - 35 percent of which will be affordable to low- and moderate-income families. In all, the plan will create 6,000 new, permanent jobs and 25,000 construction jobs, and generate an economic impact of $14 billion over 30 years."
However, there were critics—City Council members Tony Avella (who accused the mayor of putting corporate interests first) and Charles Barron voted against the plan while Rosie Mendez abstained. And Save Coney Island's Juan Rivero issued a statement, "This rezoning plan will irreparably damage Coney Island. Now it’s up to the Bloomberg administration to mitigate that damage by working to increase the size of the outdoor amusement area and by preventing the construction of high-rises in the middle of the amusement district. It is our hope and expectation that it will do so."
Crain's reports other additions to the revised plan include "the replacement of the Abe Stark ice rink and a new community gymnasium at PS 188...land for a new school and $30 million for a new emergency room and renovations at Coney Island Hospital. It also forbids the development of big-box retailers." (Plus a new deluxe shark tank at the NY Aquarium, per The Brooklyn Paper.) The Observer says while there could be room for four hotels, City Councilman Dominic Recchia believes there will only be two.
As for Sitt's land, it looks like the city may buy six of the 10.5 acres Sitt controls. The Daily News' sources say "Sitt would hang on to property on Stillwell and Surf Aves. It wasn't clear how much the city would pay for the land. Sitt previously rejected an offer of $105 million." Sitt's spokesman said Thor is "hopeful that these negotiations will result in a timely resolution and a brighter day for Coney."
Tagged
bloomberg
City Council
coney island
joe sitt
rezoning
thor equities
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE 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
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. ET
The divide among Mamdani allies over reforming the NYPD
The dispute raises questions about who will have Mamdani’s ear as he faces pressure to deliver on campaign promises to reform the world’s largest police force.
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
The divide among Mamdani allies over reforming the NYPD
The dispute raises questions about who will have Mamdani’s ear as he faces pressure to deliver on campaign promises to reform the world’s largest police force.
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
Mamdani-backed housing bill will give nonprofits head start on buying NYC apartments
By
David Brand
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 .