Pace Press

Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Features

Although the fate of Coney Island is still up in the air, Brooklyn's famous boardwalk will remain open for at least the rest of the summer. Astroland's last day of operation was originally scheduled for Sept. 9, but owner Thor Equities, along with the city, are still in discussion about what to do with the land. However, a deal was announced to the Daily News on Oct. 24 for at least one more season.

According to the New York Times, the plan had been to build 5,000 apartments on the beach, but Gothamist.com reports that the city council stated "fiscal" reasons for the incapability of allowing condominiums on the land.

"Developer Thor Equities' $1.5 billion Las Vegas-style playland," the Daily News reported, showing the expenses necessary to execute such a plan. They also explained that during the summer of 2007, there were plans to put each ride from Astroland, aside from the landmark Cyclone and Wonder Wheel, up for auction, "with some rides listed at the bargain-basement price of $12,500."

The city council has been working with Thor for several months in an attempt to reach a compromise. The Bloomberg Administration wants to make sure the historical amusement district, namely the Cyclone roller coaster and the Wonder Wheel ferris wheel, are kept intact and well preserved.

Thor's plan for condos and stores may be still considered for a location slightly north of the district. Brooklyn borough President Marty Markowitz told the New York Times, "I do not want to see another generic shopping mall."

Markowitz continued to say he'd support "a water ark, movie theaters, a bowling alley and House of Blues," which will attract winter visitors to the area.

Thor's Chairman, Joseph Sitt, would like to install a newer amusement park as well as the other attractions Markowitz wants. "The last thing I want is for Coney Island to go dark," Sitt told the New York Post. He does have some say in the matter since his corporation owns land there. The Vourderis family also owns land, including the Astroland amusement park, which they have permission to develop.

"We're trying to bling it up," Deputy Mayor Robert C. Lieber told the New York Times. Lieber says the city is also planning on "generating economic opportunities and jobs for local residents."

According to Ultimate Roller Coaster, a Web site that documents the histories and facts of various amusement parks, New Yorkers began visiting Coney Island in the 1830s and its roller coasters, the Cyclone and the Thunderbolt, generated even more tourism after their installation in 1926 and 1925.

The 150-foot Wonder Wheel also draws frequent visitors with its 16 swinging and eight stationary cars. According to its Web site, the Wheel has been around since 1920 and achieved landmark status in 1989, which prevents it from being demolished like the Thunderbolt, made famous by Woody Allen's Annie Hall, which faced the wrecking ball in 2000.

Coney Island will continue to entertain many tourists with its annual Mermaid Parade, which will be held June 21, and the Siren Festival, on July 19, which will feature live performances by M.I.A., Matt and Kim and more. Fireworks are shown Friday nights at 9:30 p.m. during the season, which began March 16 and will end in the fall. Astroland will operate on weekends until June 13, when it will switch to daily operation and return to weekends on Sept. 8.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools