Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Coney Island Concrete Boardwalk Confirmed Over Controversy
By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 11, 2011
Modified May 11, 2011
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
Christopher Robbins
Published May 11, 2011
Modified May 11, 2011
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
There's nothing like a day at the beach: the cheery gaggles of children, the race to finish your ice cream before it melts off the cone, the smell of burning flesh as your feet cook against the searing concrete boardwalk. Yes, life is good now that Community Board 13 approved a 12-foot strip of concrete down the middle of the boardwalk. The Daily News reports that the vote was 5-1, and "came after a raucous meeting where opponents brandished signs and 'Boardwalk Not Sidewalk' T-shirts." Will the Wood People ever get along with Shel Silverstein fans?
"We shrunk it down pretty much as far as we think we can shrink it," the Brooklyn Parks chief of staff said, referring to the need for city vehicles to travel on the boardwalk and leaving 19 feet of imitation wood on either side. That concession still isn't doin' it for "Brighton Beach activist" Ida Sanoff, who complained that the concrete slabs "make you dizzy when you look at them." No problem Ida! If you stare into the hypnotic glare that emanates from them during direct sunlight, you'll forget all about the dizziness.
CB 13 member Alan Podhaizer acknowledged the problems with concrete, but "right now the Boardwalk is a disaster…Something has to be done now." As the construction begins and won't be finished until 2013, we still have some time to heed the words of The Drifters. Although it's kinda hard to see through concrete...
Tagged
brighton beach
concrete
coney island
coney island boardwalk
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims
The deal would compensate over 1,300 alleged victims and help the church avoid bankruptcy.
By
Arya Sundaram
Published Oct 24, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.
By
Arya Sundaram
Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
Sean Carlson
NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
3 slates vying to run Jersey City school board as city stares down major tax hikes
By
Michael Sol Warren
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 .