Save Coney Island Group Sues City

The City did well in aquiring much of the land owned by Thor Equities but their plan still needs major revision. The way it stands it's an oximoron. Their plan for high rises and hotel does not justify what will be left there for amusements.

Here is the full press release from 'Save Coney Island':

SAVE CONEY ISLAND FILES SUIT TO KEEP DREAM OF REVITALIZED, WORLD-CLASS CONEY ISLAND ALIVE

CITY’S PLAN WOULD SHRINK AMUSEMENT AREA, BLOCK IT OFF WITH HIGH-RISES

New York, N.Y. Dec. 2, 2009 — Grassroots activist group Save Coney Island announced today that it had filed a lawsuit challenging the Bloomberg administration’s rezoning of Coney Island’s amusement area. Several Coney Island residents and amusement district workers and performers joined Save Coney Island as plaintiffs.

The suit was filed Wednesday, November 25 at New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan by attorney Albert K. Butzel of the Urban Environmental Law Center, who is representing the plaintiffs. The suit seeks to have the rezoning declared illegal and annulled.

The Bloomberg administration’s rezoning plan, which passed the City Council on July 29, dramatically shrinks Coney Island’s famed amusement district, leaving a proposed amusement park that is restricted to a narrow, 12-acre strip of land. The rezoning allows the insertion of four hotel towers — rising up to 27 stories tall — along the south side of Surf Avenue in the heart of the historic amusement district. The placement of the proposed high-rises invites developers to tear down Coney Island’s handful of remaining historic buildings, including Nathan’s Famous and several structures that are more than a century old.

“The goal of this lawsuit is not to stop the redevelopment of Coney Island as a world renowned amusement district,” Mr. Butzel said, “but rather to make it possible for that to happen. Responding to the interests of private developers and ignoring expert studies, the City has so reduced the area available for outdoor amusements that it will not be capable of regenerating a world-class Coney Island. In evaluating the impacts of the rezoning, the City ignored this and other critical information. That and its knuckling under to private development interests violated the law.”

The lawsuit contends that the rezoning was effected in violation of the State Environmental Quality Review Act and other relevant laws. The plaintiffs assert that the City’s Environmental Impact Statement on the rezoning failed to adequately address expert testimony from the Municipal Art Society concluding that the area allotted for amusements under the rezoning was too small to create a viable amusement park, that it failed to take a hard look at the visual impact of the proposed high-rise hotels, and that it failed to adequately consider impacts on Coney Island’s historic resources.

The suit also contends that changes made by the City to an earlier version of its rezoning plan — such as the placement of new high-rise hotels and the reduction of the size of the mapped amusement area — were not made for public benefit, but were instead for the private benefit of Thor Equities and to induce the developer to go along with the rezoning.

Over the past two years, Save Coney Island had urged the Bloomberg administration to fix its rezoning plan by expanding acreage reserved for amusements and relocating the proposed hotels outside the heart of the amusement district. These recommendations, which were ignored by the Bloomberg administration, had been echoed by the Municipal Art Society, the editorial board of The New York Times, numerous Coney Island stakeholders, and 15 prominent historians of New York City.

“The Bloomberg administration has tried to portray this rezoning as an effort to revitalize Coney Island,” said Save Coney Island spokesman Juan Rivero. “In fact, this rezoning threatens to irrevocably squander the tremendous potential of this world-renowned ‘People’s Playground.’”

“Save Coney Island strongly supports the redevelopment of Coney Island,” Rivero added. “But the Bloomberg administration’s short-sighted plan puts the interests of real estate speculators ahead of the long-term interest of New Yorkers. This plan erases Coney Island’s past and sacrifices its future. New Yorkers don't want a small amusement park walled off by high-rise towers. They want an extraordinary Coney Island worthy of its name and history. This lawsuit keeps that dream alive.”

For more on what experts have said about the City’s Coney Island rezoning plan, visit: Save Coney Island website .

Saving Coney Island Depends On You!

The plan to revitalize Coney Island made a big step forward last week when the Bloomberg Administration announced the City will be purchasing seven acres of land from developer Thor Equities. While this releases a big hold from a developer who seemed to only descend on Coney Island under the false impression to change it for the better and only reveling himself themselves as another speculator in the end, the city still needs to modify the current plan in order to keep Coney Island alive with the same character and spirit it has always thrived on.

A word out from the Save Coney Island group makes it loud and clear:

This is good news, but it's not enough to save Coney Island

We're concerned that the City's plan for Coney Island leaves only a narrow strip of land for outdoor amusements. This tiny amusement area would be hemmed in by four high-rise hotels rising up to 27 stories. To add insult to injury, these proposed hotel towers would be built on top of many of Coney Island's most historic buildings, obliterating what remains of Coney Island's rich past.

If this plan is executed, it would ruin Coney Island forever.

Save Coney Island is committed to doing everything we can to fix this plan and making sure that Coney Island reaches its potential as a world-class amusement destination - as the playground of the world.

But we need your help. Over the next few weeks, Save Coney Island will be announcing exciting new initiatives to ensure both the short- and long-term success of the People's Playground. We need you to be a part of our effort. If you have skills to offer as a volunteer, please let us know. If you can donate money, that would be terrific.

With your support, we will help to make Coney Island great again.

Coney Events: The Siren Screen Series

A Park Slope pub gets the Coney buzz with a night of Coney-short films.

Here's the lineup:
1) John Salvatore - "Sodom by the Sea" - narrative, 19 mins.

2) Ilya Chaiken - "The 100 lovers of Jesus Reynolds" - narrative, 7 mins. (Ilya is known for the indie feature "Liberty Kid")

3) Howie Alex - "Falcons are Three" - narrative, 6 mins.

4) Lila Place - "Under the Roller Coaster - doc, 15 mins.

5) David Rogers - "The Light of Eons" - narrative, 16 mins.

6) Adam Davis - "The Green Flash" - narrative, 25 mins. (this movie was shot in 1989 and stars Omar Epps in his first ever role)
See you there!!

For more information, maps and other resources, visit the Save Coney Island website


The Siren Screen Series
at the Black Horse Pub
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009
8pm
$10 cover
located
68 5th Avenue @ 16th Street
Park Slope, Brooklyn

All profits go to support Save Coney Island

Save Coney Island Meeting Update: Tonight!

The Save Coney Island group meets tonight at Freddy's on Dean Street in Brooklyn.

From the Save Coney group:

Meet in Freddy's back room from 7-9 pm tonight (Monday, November 9th) for an important meeting about our exciting post-rezoning-vote strategies to preserve and expand Coney Island's amusement district.

Topics that will be discussed:
1.What steps to take to create a landmark district in Coney Island
2. Ways to effectively lobby City Hall to buy up land and dedicate it to amusements
3. How to expand our constituency in Coney Island and across the city
4. Other ways to pressure the city that depend on your participation
5. Fundraising efforts so we can have more resources to fight the fight!

We need your input and help on all of these subject to make a difference in Coney Island. We will break into small groups to collect ideas and find solutions to the tough challenges that lie ahead. Your presence at this meeting will affect strategic decisions that need to be made in the very near future.

SEE YOU THERE!
Freddy's Bar and Back Room
485 Dean Street Brooklyn, NY 11215
phone: 718.622.7035
That's the corner of Dean Street and 6th Avenue in Brooklyn.
(In the proposed footprint of the Atlantic Yards Project!)
For directions visit website: Freddysbackroom.com

Save Coney Island Stragety Meeting Monday

This coming Monday at 7 pm is an important Save Coney Island strategy meeting. Presented will be strategies and movements for a new direction in saving Coney Island from the grips of greedy developers and city officials. And of course expect a fun social and tipsy atmosphere.

Location and further info to come up shorty so stay tuned at SaveConeyIsland.net

Save Coney Island Fundraiser

From the Save Coney Island group:

This Friday, November 6 At 9 pm, see Angie Pontani's show "This is Burlesque" and support Save Coney Island AT THE SAME TIME! 10% of the door at Sweet Carolines will go to support Save Coney Island's efforts to create a C.I. historic district and keep pressure on the city to designate park land for outdoor amusements. Be dazzled and entertained by the beautiful Angie Pontani and comedian Murray Hill in the funniest and sexiest show this side of the Mississippi. The show kicks off at 9:00 pm.Sweet Carolines is at 322 W. 45th Street between 8th & 9th Avenues.

For more information visit SaveConeyIsland.net

Thor Needs To Get Out Of Coney Once And For All

It is now plain as the summer sunlight that Thor Equities and Joe Sitt is just another Fred Trump or Robert Moses; the foes in the Coney Island history. Joe Sitt has done nothing to prove wrong what everyone has said about him and his company. They they are mainly speculators out to rip off with Coney Island and its legend and charm.

After bulldozing thriving attractions and a theme park that could've still been left to function while the new Coney Island finally happens, Thor Equities has only made a shambles of everything they touch. As recent as a few days ago, they shut down their own amusement park; Dreamland, which was supposed to be the fill the void they left empty after carelessly evicting the long standing Astroland Amusement Park. Thor has made a mess of their empty lots from a hooky kiddie inflatable slide to a distressing flea market and they yearly short-lived makeshift carnivals that goes kaput before the season ends. Actually coming in late and leaving early.

And even though they could still reopen in a few days they have already displayed a lack of respect. A lack of business savvy doesn't seem to be at the crux of the problem here but a mere lack of respect with a sole interest in financial gain.

There is now a petition going on to boot them out as well as an angry 'Save Coney Island' coalition retort to the matter.

Save Coney Island writes:

“The closure of ‘Dreamland,’ Thor Equities’ half-hearted attempt at anamusement park, is only the latest installment in Thor's deliberatecampaign to blight Coney Island,” said Save Coney Island spokesman JuanRivero. “First, Thor senselessly drove out many of Coney Island’slong-established amusements — including the beloved Astroland amusementpark — now Thor is even shutting down the amusements that they themselvesbrought in.”

So, sign the petition, make your comments heard on the Internet, and pressure the city to give Thor Equities its 'Get out of Coney card'.

Save Coney Island's Movie Night And Briefing

Watch the "Little Fugitive" the classic film that captured our hearts of a little boy romping through a glorious Coney of yesteryear's 1950's.

From 'Save Coney Island':
Save Coney Island will continue to pressure the City to buy as much land as possible for outdoor amusements. We will push for the landmarking of the historic buildings that this rezoning plan puts at risk. We will fight against the construction of those high-rise towers proposed for the heart of the amusement area. And we will resist the privatization of parkland in Coney Island, insisting that it remain devoted to public use.

We will be launching several initiatives in the coming weeks, and we look forward to your continued support.

This Wednesday, Vox Pop will be hosting a screening of a slate of films about Coney Island:
- The '50s era Coney classic LITTLE FUGITIVE (1953, 80min), in which a little Brooklyn tyke mistakenly thinks he has gunned down his older brother and runs away to Coney Island.
- THE RELEASE OF JAN, a short film by Jordan Roettele
- footage shot from the world-famous Cyclone
- "Don't Shrink Coney! Fix the Plan!", our very own advocacy video

After the screening, we will brief everyone on the latest developments in the fight to Save Coney Island.

Coney Island Movie Night and Briefing
What: Vox Pop Movie Night - Save Coney Island - Little Fugitive and The Release of Jan
Where: Vox Pop, 1022 Cortelyou Road, Brooklyn - 718 940 2084
When: Wednesday, August 19th
at 7:30 PM - 9:30PM

Rant On Coney Activists Causes Spurn

Yesterday's post on our beloved Coney Saviors taking a break to recoup and recharge in, yet again somewhere north Brooklyn, has caused quite an upset. The post was taken as an attack of labeling them as hispsters who don't even live in Coney Island.

In clarifying the intent of the post, I do apologize for any sentiments it has caused. The point in the post was more 'between the lines' with no insult in mind. More like a rant without the shouting. But many took it as a direct attack, nevertheless. The complaint was about the fact that most events are held in north Brooklyn without taking Coney Island's limited venues more in mind. While one does have to recognize that north Brooklyn neighborhoods like Dumbo, Williamsburg, and Brooklyn Heights have more desirable spaces for these events, it would be nice for more of them to take place in Coney Island, regardless. Most e-mail complaints from the event's organizer and members of 'Save Coney Island' indicated that Dumbo was a better suited center-point to meet after work. The commute to Coney and back would be too long for a weeknight. While I strongly agree, however, I also feel that more of an effort should be made to have more events take place in Coney island. At least the ones that take place on the weekends, not necessarily on weeknights

A meet to rethink the next strategic move in Saving Coney Island is fine at a convenient location in North Brooklyn, where most pro-amusement activists do happen to live. But events such as fund raisers, benefits, and performances to promote and further the causes for Coney Island have in the past couple of years mostly taken place in North Brooklyn. Vox Pop, SouthPaw, and other exhibit halls and galleries, to name a few, have all taken place in north Brooklyn nabes like Dumbo and Williamsburg. While it's true that Coney Island is very limited in having these facilities, I maintain that with an effort to find spaces for them, an encouragement for growth is created in Coney Island. The 'rant' in the post was a general discomfort about these decisions to utilize north Brooklyn for most of these events.

In summary, I do apologize for while at the same time surprised by the reactions directed towards me. However, I've always welcomed criticism. And I hope most of you understand that my diatribe on this matter was in no way an attack or a difference in a way of thinking to yours. This blog has always been pro-amusement and has always been in line with the desire to protect Coney Island and the fight to keep its historic integrity intact while revitalizing it for its future.

It's High-Towered Curtains For Coney Island...I Need A Drink!

Image compiled from photo on reBar's website

Image note: The above image is a replacement. The previous image composition was removed due to one of the elements that was taken from another photo was mistakenly used here without permission. My apologies to the original photographer.

While the city wins this round, making the future of Coney Island look bleak, the Coney Island saviors feel the need to regroup at the nearest watering hole to recharge their batteries and find refuge, once again, away from Coney Island in the 'hipper' parts of town; North Brooklyn!

Last week New York's City Council voted to approve Mayor Bloomberg's plan to revitalize Coney Island, which will bring in a six-story entertainment mall within four high-rise hotels, while shrinking the open-air amusements and threaten important historic buildings like Nathan's Famous. This will turn Coney Island into a clone of other gentrificated urban centers around the country. A fate that will no longer represent the the uniqueness that has always been Coney Island.

Feeling powerless against the city that has shown no remorse or respect towards Coney's character, our fight has driven us to the nearest watering hole to recoup, re-plan, and recharge for the charge. Though, unfortunately not in Coney Island, the Save Coney Island team is gearing us to all to stay together in keeping up the fort:

In their latest press release:

This much is clear. Save Coney Island will continue to ressure the City to buy as much land as possible for outdoor amusements. It will push for the landmarking of the historic buildings that this plan puts at risk. It will fight the construction of those high-rise towers within the amusement area. And it will resist the privatization of parkland, insisting that it remain devoted for public use.

Here are the details of our pit-stop watering hole just a few stones throw from Coney.
Happy Hour (next steps!) at the Rebar (the backroom).
Located at 147 Front Street in DUMBO.
Directions are: take the A, C, or F
Be there this Wednesday, August 5th
at 6:30 PM
You could leave your Coney rally garg at home but don't forget your torch and your will to keep on fighting!

Make Some Noise Coney Folks....For The Biggest 'Save Coney' Rally Ever!

It's the final Save Coney Island rally before the whole city council goes to vote to kill Coney Island as we've always known it. The subcommittee has already voted in favor of Mayor Bloomberg's plan without addressing its major flaw to shrink the open-air amusements to place large high-rise hotels within the same zone.....A MAJOR OXYMORON on the part of the city. They claim thousand of new jobs for the community which include hotel jobs in hotels that will not be filled with tourists to come and stay over for a stroll around a small strip of amusements.

The real intent of the city's plan is merely for big business at the expense of the people. The people who loved Coney Island for its beach sand and water, beach food, and beach fun and amusements. If you want a Miami Bay Side, or another South Street Seaport without the ships then you'll be happy with the Mayor's plan. If you love Coney for it's world-wide charm and want to have that charm revived, this plan, the way it stands is not what you want.

We urge you go act like true New Yorkers and get out there to the Brooklyn Borough Hall this Sunday and make a really big big noise.

Here's the info from the 'Save Coney Island' group:

RALLY TO SAVE CONEY ISLAND (SUNDAY, 7/26)

New York, N.Y. — Grassroots activist group Save Coney Island is holding a
MASS RALLY in the plaza in front of Brooklyn Borough Hall this Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. (7/26) urging the City to either FIX or KILL its badly flawed Coney Island rezoning plan.

The City Council is scheduled to vote this coming Wednesday on a plan that would permanently shrink Coney Island’s famed amusement district, create a wall of four huge high-rises — up to 27 stories tall — in its very heart,and encourage developers to tear down Coney Island’s historic buildings.

This rally is the LAST CHANCE for members of the public to make their voices heard on this awful rezoning plan.

WHAT: Rally to Save Coney Island
WHEN: Sunday July 26, 1 p.m.
WHERE: Columbus Park, by the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall

The City’s Bully Fist Punches Through For Bloomberg’s Third Term And Future Legacy

Not heeding to what we 'freaks' want with our cute open-air ries and the cheap twinkle in our starry eyes…the city has downright made a mockery of us!

Yesterday, the city voted for the Mayor’s plan, which for the most part is right for Coney, but carelessly voted against the amendment to expand their amusement acreage and move their high-rise hotels out of the south side of Surf Avenue. The amendment was introduced by Councilman Tony Avella, taking into account the obvious points in the Mayor’s plan that would diminish the unique character of Coney Island’s amusements by shrinking it and putting it in danger of being eradicated if large buildings were to shroud it with shades of uncertainty. Hence, since hotels will not do justice to a small amusement park, the vulnerability for condo conversion exists, which will ultimately lead to the removal of any new amusement park followed by beach privatization. This of course, will come after the parkland is re-swapped by the forces of the high-rise residents.

Whirl of contradictions:
At the subcommittee voting yesterday, various diatribes drooled from the mouths of certain city officials, stating that they will take a gander and 'address' our concerns as indicated in the amendment before the whole council votes on the plan July 29, 2009. However, as usual, disrespectful contradictory fumes permeated the air in City Hall. Council Member Domenic Recchia’s contradiction is revealed in his statement yesterday quoted on his website:

I would like to have been able to expand the area available for open amusements, and I have been actively discussing this with the administration. Those discussions have been fruitful and are ongoing. I hope that by the time the entire City Council votes on this plan, on July 29th, I will have great news for everyone. But I am confident that this project, as it currently stands, is good for the city, good for Brooklyn and great for Coney Island.

Similarly, I know that there are those who would like to see lower buildings on the south side of Surf Avenue. We just couldn't make this work and will be moving forward with project that you see today.

In his second paragraph comes the obvious contradiction. You cannot actively discuss the expansion of the open-air amusements and expect to have good news here if you are not able to make the space for it in the first place. This shows that Recchia is placating us.

In addition, while the Land Use Committee ignored our pleas, The Save Coney Island coalition had this to say in their press release yesterday:

Save Coney Island is heartened, however, by suggestions made by Council members that the issues we have raised will be addressed by the City before they council renders a final vote on the plan.

Should the City succeed in its negotiations to purchase Thor Equities’ land in Coney Island, it will gain greater control over how that land is eventually used. The City must expand the size of its proposed amusement park, work to keep high-rises out of the core amusement area and protect the historic buildings that line the south side of Surf Avenue.

The Robert Moses Syndrome:
The Mayor’s plan also calls for 4,500 more housing units in Coney Island and a need for the expansion of the Coney Island Hospital to accommodate the masses of new residents. Since this sounds like a new facet of the plan, coming from a recent awareness that Coney Island will be overloaded with residents, it seems the city has not really put that much intricate thought into what will really work or not work for Coney Island.

Coney doesn’t not need more low income housing 'per say,' though it could use more desirable residential mixed-income -bracket units. Though this may sound contradictory in itself, the amount of ‘housing’ referred to in their plan seems more like a ticket for more of Bloomberg’s voting power for his internally, self-administered third term.

The City doesn't give a Tillie's hoot about it:
Simply put, the city doesn’t give a damned about having a small space for open-air amusements. They simply don’t feel that this is important enough for the future of their Coney. They simply don’t respect this idea and they don’t care. They have their own vision of Coney Island. On that comes with a 'representation' of Coney’s flavor, as an 'amenity' of their grand gentrified urban redevelopment plan for a crippling neighborhood at the grave expense of one of the city and the world’s most fabled treasures. A place where wonderment and oddity raised out of the ashes in a time where strict social order was the way of the game. It goes down to this; Some people know how to appreciate something very special...and others cannot. They only know how to think; ‘to-from-and-subject’ with black in on the books. Unfortunately, for Coney Island the power is not with the ones who dream it.

Shame On You If You Don't Fix Your Coney Plan

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO LISTEN TO YOUR PEOPLE. THEY DON'T WANT CONEY ISLAND TO DISAPPEAR UNDER ANOTHER GREEDY ATTEMPT TO DO WHAT'S GOOD FOR BIG BIZ. DO NOT ALLOW THE MAYOR'S CURRENT PLAN TO GO THROUGH WITHOUT EXPANDING THE OPEN-AIR AMUSEMENT AREA AND MOVING THE HIGH RISES OUT OF THEIR!

With the state of this economy and the plan to kill the character and uniqueness of Coney Island will forever be a thorn in the memory of this administration to join the negativity that still lingers with the ghost of Robert Moses.

STOP THIS PLAN AND DEMAND THE MAYOR AND HIS PLANNERS ALONG WITH HIS AGENCY FOR CONEY ISLAND TO GO BACK AND REDESIGN THIS PLAN BY LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE.

Coney Island is a city-wide issue for all the people of New York City, as well as by the people and for the people!

Like Tricia Vita of her wonderful blog, Amusing the Zillion, was able to ponder at while waiting inside City Hall to speak about saving the unique character of Coney Island, the city hasn't been following the old motto in Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address; “A Government Of the People, By the People, For the People!" Even a council member stated that he wishes the city was doing more of which has not been.

ATZ writes:

The City Council hearing on the Coney Island rezoning plan was my first time inside City Hall. During the eight hour long proceeding— my two-minute slot didn’t come up until seven hours had gone by— I had plenty of time to contemplate a ceiling medallion that says: “A Government Of the People, By the People, For the People—Lincoln.” Apparently I wasn’t the only visitor impressed by this tribute to Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Someone mentioned it in his testimony. Councilman Tony Avella, Chair of the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises replied, “I hate to tell you how many times we don’t do that, but hopefully we can do it in this situation.” We hope so too.

And we not only hope so too but along with the rest of those who have a big place in their hearts for the real Coney Island, we demand the city listen to all of us!

Last Chance To Save Coney Or Allow It To Be Killed

The City Council’s Land Use Committee has rescheduled their vote for this morning at 10:30 am at City Hall. Making this the last chance before the whole council votes on the Bloomberg plan for Coney Island, which carries with it a major flaw that outright disrespects the unique character of Coney Island along with a disrespect for its future.

Yesterday, spokesperson for the Save Coney Island coalition, Juan Rivero said, “The City Council has a historic opportunity to fix this flawed rezoning plan and head off disaster for Coney Island. New Yorkers from all parts of the city love and care about Coney Island. Each and every member of the City Council has a responsibility to preserve this iconic amusement attraction for their constituents and for future generations.”

The vote in favor of the Mayor’s plan will kill Coney Island as we’ve known it. Causing the amusements to become a commemorative sampling for its past that is surrounded by gentrification and every-where-else America. The hotels they claim will benefit the community will not. At least not the community their speaking about. It will only benefit the new community of luxury condo owners who will move into the 30 story towers in search of oceanfront living. Their next step will be to control the small amusement sector or even force its removal and after that comes the beach privatization. Regardless, what scenario takes place it will not happen for a few years until the economy recovers.

Download the New Save Coney Island Brochure here

Let us not let this doomsday scenario for Coney Island take place. Don’t let the spirit of Coney Island be swept ashore like its neighbor; the Rockaway’s amusement area did.

We urge to make your presence known at this morning’s city council vote. It is very easy. All you have to do is follow the simple effective steps brought to you by the Save Coney Island coalition.

Below is yesterdays ‘Save Coney Island’ press release:

Council Meeting on Coney Island Tomorrow (Tues.) PLEASE ATTEND! The City Council Zoning and Land Use Committees are scheduled to vote tomorrow, Tuesday 21st, on revisions to the Coney Island rezoning plan. I know this sounds like deja vu; but today, apparently, was just a dress rehearsal.

WE NEED YOU TO ATTEND AND MAKE OUR PRESENCE FELT!When: 10:30 amWhere: City Hall Chambers.PLEASE, GET THERE EARLY TO GET THROUGH SECURITY.

Bring a sign! The last time, they gave us a hard time about anything bigger than 8.5 x 11. You can download one no bigger than that here. (sample below) Or, if you have one of the 11 x 17 placards, you can fold it to get past security, and display it discreetly once inside.

The vote by the Land Use Committee is the last chance for the plan to be fixed. If council members choose to vote on the plan without significant amendments dealing with the amusement area, we will know that they ignored your calls and that they are indifferent to the destruction of the "People's Playground". The vote by the entire City Council is scheduled for July 29th.

Phone Calls Keep making phone calls! Call Quinn, Recchia, and your council member. Tell them that Coney Island amusements are a city-wide issue, and that the plan must be fixed. All the info you need to make a call is here. Call now!

Donations: If you would like to help our efforts but are not available to volunteer, you can make a small donation to our cause through our site. Contributions go toward printing, site-hosting and sundry expenses. Every little bit helps.

Council Meeting On Coney Island Tomorrow Morning

Word comes from the Save Coney Island folks on a Monday morning meeting at 9:30 am at 250 Broadway, 16th floor hearing room. But you need to arrive a bit early to get through security.

From 'Save Coney Island':

It is our understanding that this meeting will be happening, though there is a slight chance that the vote could be postponed at the last minute. (It has been postponed twice already.) But as of now, we expect the meeting to happen, and we need people to show up. The vote by the Land

The vote by the Land Use and Zoning committees is the last chance for the plan to be fixed. If council members choose to support the current plan without significant amendments dealing with the amusement area, we will know that they ignored your calls and that they are indifferent to the destruction of the “People’s Playground.” The vote by the entire City Council is scheduled for July 29th.

Event Today At Noon! Save Coney Island "Call-in" Rally!

Pick up your fins and run to the park and phone to save Coney! Whether in colorful Coney garb or not, you are invited to rush on down to Union Square Park in Manhattan this afternoon at 12 Noon for the Save Coney Island "Call-in" Rally.

From 'Save Coney Island':

Calling all Save Coney Islanders! Save Coney Island "Call-in" Rally!!

When: Tomorrow, Wednesday 15th at 12:00 pm.Where: South Side of Union Square, close to the big statue of George Washington on a horse

What: We're going to tell people about the City's Plan for Coney Island, and we're going to get them to make phone calls right then and there.

We'll have Save Coney sandwich boards for everyone who is not a mermaid or who does not have a Miss Cyclone sash. We will have materials explaining the City's Coney Island rezoning plan. We will have scripts to help the people making calls. And we'll have righteousness on our side.

Help us make this a rally to remember. Even if you can stop by for half an hour, please try to make it. This is the last chance to make calls to fix the City's plan. Help us Save Coney Island!

Call for Volunteers
We still have plenty of brochures, fliers, and postcards describing the City's plan and asking people to make phone calls. We need volunteers to hand them out and drop them off. If you have time in the next few days, please contact:
volunteers@saveconeyisland.net.

New York Times Editorial
The New York Times editorial calls for doubling the size of the amusement area and removing hotels from the south side of Surf Avenue!

City Council Public Hearing July 1st, 2009

The New York City Council is set to vote on the Mayor's plan which carries a major flaw that could destroy Coney Island for what it has been all along its inception and evolution by allowing high-rises along surf avenue cutting off what is also another major flaw in the plan; a shrunken open-air amusement area to a non-resort-destination nine acres.

Please, join all who care about Coney Island's future and attend the public hearing at the NY City Council this July 1, 2009 at 10 a.m.!

The Save Coney Island organization serves up this further important information:

YOU MUST GET THERE EARLY TO GET THROUGH SECURITY, FIND A PLACE IN THE HEARING ROOM, AND SIGN UP TO SPEAK! Once inside, look for one
of our volunteers wearing "Save Coney Island" stickers. To offer testimony, you must sign up at the beginning of the hearing. You will typically be given no more than three minutes to express your view. We hope to see you all there. This could be our last public hearing; so let's make our participation count.

Public Hearing at City Council
Land-use Subcommittee Public Hearing
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
10:00 AM
at the Council Chambers
in City Hall
(between Broadway and Park Row)