Coney's Revitalization Faces Major Stumbling Block

Though previously made lite of, the major infrastructure rehaul needed in order for Coney Island to see any major growth is a huge cost.

Eliot Brown reported for the New York Observer:

David Lombino, a spokesman for the Economic Development Corporation, which runs the project for the city, was less specific, but said in a statement that the needed investment would be significant:
Any plan for revitalizing Coney Island will require a major infrastructure investment. You can’t develop thousands of units of housing, rebuild the amusement district, or create thousands of new jobs without a significant upgrade. Between investments in storm water systems, sewers, sanitation, utilities, roads, streetscapes, sidewalks, and raising the grade above the 100-year flood plain -- all of this in an area that is larger than the proposed rezoning -- it will likely cost the public and private sectors hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. Abandoning Coney Island is not an option and approving the city’s zoning plan is the only way that any of these critical investments will be made.

All this seems to give less hope that anything will happen in Coney Island, especially in our economic crisis. This strongly points out the need to keep Coney Island small with independent operators. The city should make a new approach and devise a strategy to lure and work with smaller independents instead of attempting to make something on a grand scale.


'Hundreds of Millions' in Infrastructure [NY Observer]

Coney Openings: Topless Bar In Coney Island

Complete with stripper poles and frisk rooms, this new topless bar is the new thing to open in Coney Island. Finally, someone was daring enough to open some kind of entertainment venue that should make money in Coney Island. Unfortunately, not the kind most of us were hoping for.

Queens Crap YourNabe.com writes:

the Foxy Gentleman’s Club at 1201 Surf Avenue advertises table-side dancing, VIP rooms and “beautiful show girls.” A red neon sign over the entrance on West 12th Street depicts the provocative silhouette of a nude woman on her knees – just feet from the sign directing the civic-minded to the offices of Community Board 13.

Topless girls; clueless cb13-Board [YourNabe.com via Queens Crap]

Reminder: Community Board 13 Public Hearing Tonight

A public hearing on the rezoning plan for Coney Island by the city will be held tomorrow


COMMUNITY BOARD 13 PUBLIC HEARING
Tuesday, March 3rd
6:30PM
at Lincoln High School
2800 Ocean ParkwayBrooklyn, NY 11235

Coney Vid: Glimpse Of The "Real World" Coney Room

Not too much here but a short glimpse around the 'Coney' Room of the "Real World Brooklyn" house.

"Real World: Brooklyn"

Posted by fanscapevideos [YouTube]

Childhood Space Cadet Tells His Astroland Rocket Story

Louis, a childhood space cadet was excited to share his vivid memories of riding on the Astroland Rocket simulation ride. As Charles Denson, executive director of the Coney Island History Project recorded the interview, Louis describes to us what he saw on the projection screen. He also sat on the same seat he did many years ago.

Coney Vid: NY1 Reports On Closing Major Meats Store

"It's like stepping back in time to the way things used to be," said Stan Fox, a customer and Coney arcade operator.

Prince says he doesn't know what's going to happen to the store after he closes down but predicts it'll most likely be demolished to make way for new development.

Reported NY1.

Jimmy Prince and Major Meats iconic Coney store on Mermaid Avenue will be dearly missed.

Reverend Billy For Mayor Of New York City

Bill Talen A.K.A. Reverend Billy wants to give you back your neighborhoods if you vote him into the mayor's office. The Reverend who's been an strong activist against the corporatizing of civic life claims he will be starting his campaign for mayor of New York City. Since, the Reverend is a street performer/activists one may think this is some sort of publicity stunt, but perhaps not this time. In a letter to New York City friends, the Reverend, in part, says:

I believe that the current mayor considers New York City a corporation. This is a natural tendency for a Wall Street guy. Parks, libraries and schools, for instance, are viewed as not worthy of public support -- they must be privatized to pay their own way. This creates a snowball effect, in which our public commons is sold off to the highest bidder. The roadways are a disaster, certainly this is true in the neglected boroughs, but roads are a burden to this mayor, not an asset, and so they are ignored.