NEW YORK | Coney Island Redevelopment

[namee]

Paul's Daughter and Rubys are back for 8 more years!

http://www.bensonhurstbean.com/2011/...d-2/trackback/.

DO you think Tom's will be a good new addition to the Boardwalk?

[NYguy]

Should be nice...

[NYC4Life]

The Nathan's stand right on the boardwalk is something I thought I would never see.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by NYC4Life

The Nathan's stand right on the boardwalk is something I thought I would never see.

There's already a smaller one there.

[NYguy]

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories..._01_13_bk.html

Let’s roll! Marty wants casinos on Coney Island



By Dan MacLeod
Jan 10, 2012

Wonder Wheel, meet the roulette wheel.

Borough President Markowitz wants to see casinos on Coney Island if Gov. Cuomo makes good on his plan to legalize table gaming in the state.

“Casino gambling ... would bring jobs and revenue to potential locations in New York City, especially Coney Island, which is a natural,” Markowitz said in a release.

In the latest lofty vision for a revitalized Coney Island, gambling would help draw visitors to an area that the city hopes to turn into a glitzy, year-round recreation destination boasting amusements, restaurants, arcades and hotels.

“It could be the savior for Coney Island as a major destination,” said the neighborhood’s unofficial mayor Dick Zigun, who runs Sideshows by the Seashore.

___________________________________




http://amusingthezillion.com/2012/01...-coney-island/
Will Casino Gold Rush of 1970s Replay in Coney Island?


Casinos Mean Jobs Sign at Astroland, 1978. Photo © John Rea, Courtesy of the Coney Island History Project.

January 10, 2012 by Tricia

A chapter in Charles Denson’s book Coney Island: Lost and Found vividly documents the “casino fever” that seized Coney after casino gambling was legalized in Atlantic City in 1976 and the New York State Legislature began studying the idea. A billboard saying “Welcome to Coney Island, The Perfect Resort for Casino Gambling” was put up by a local business group writes Denson, who worried that casino gambling would wipe out the amusement area and wouldn’t benefit the neighborhood. He notes that “for a brief period during 1979, the asking price for property on the Boardwalk rose from $3 to $100 per square foot.” Interviews with Horace Bullard, whose Shore Theater was said to have caught Frank Sinatra’s eye, as well as with Astroland owner Jerry Albert and realtor Charles Tesoro portray the “Casinos for Coney” mania that prevailed during a four-year period.

“It was crazy,” Tesoro told Denson. “Limousines would pull up with guys coming up to the office from Las Vegas, in silk suits, saying, ‘sell to us now, get us some property, we wanna get in!’ It was like a crazy house, like the gold rush…They’d sit at my desk and say, ‘Waddaya got? We want options on everything you got. Everything!’ They wanted options because if gambling didn’t go through, they’re out. But if gambling went through, they’d pay triple the asking price for the property.”

One of the reasons gambling didn’t go through was behind-the-scenes lobbying of politicians by the Trumps, who were already involved in Atlantic City, Tesoro and others say in Denson’s book...

Detail of the CIDC's Coney Island Retail Opportunities Map. Fall 2011. Green = Property for Sale, Blue = Property for Lease

[NYguy]

I think it's a bad idea to put casinos in Coney Island's amusent district, but the area was rezoned for indoor amusements as well. Maybe one of the Surf Ave locations, but not on the boardwalk.



http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.81203...r-it-1.3442797

Casino at Coney Island? Brooklyn's boro president is all for it



By Erik Ortiz
1/10/12

Brooklyn's biggest booster envisions Coney Island as a gamblers' paradise, but constructing a glitzy gaming palace in the seaside resort won't be an easy bet, observers said.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, in response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's support to legalize live casino gaming, said Coney Island "is a natural location and should be part of the mix when considering possible sites."

He doubled down Tuesday, adding that a Coney Island casino would be a shot in the arm for employment and local businesses, although his spokesman told amNewYork it's still too early for developers to put actual plans on the table.

Dick Zigun, founder of the Coney Island Circus Sideshow, said he backs Markowitz, especially after another plan that rezoned the neighborhood for new amusement attractions and housing has yet to be fully realized.

____________________________________

http://www.politickerny.com/2012/01/...island-casino/
Senator Diane Savino On Possible Coney Island Casino

By Hunter Walker 1/11

Since Senator Savino represents the 23rd District, which includes Coney Island, we asked her about the possibility of a casino coming to the legendary Brooklyn amusement park site.

In his State of the State address last week, Governor Cuomo discussed his desire to pass a constitutional amendment lifting the state ban on casino gambling. Though most of the discussion of the potential for a New York casino has focused on the Aqueduct racetrack site, Mr. Markowitz has floated the idea of having a casino in Coney Island. Senator Savino said “the big question” remains whether the ban will be lifted, but if commercial gambling does come to New York, she thinks Coney Island has great potential.

“I’m sure part of the conversation between now and the passage of the amendment is about where these casinos going to be located. Is Coney Island a good place for it? I think there’s tremendous opportunity for a casino in Coney Island because it’s already zoned for recreation in some spots,” Senator Savino said.

Senator Savino also cited the recent redevelopment in the area that will allow for “hotels and destination retail.” “The groundwork is already laid,” she said.

Though Senator Savino thinks a Coney Island casino has potential, she wants to make sure the people in the community want gaming in their neighborhood.

Ultimately, even if the residents of Coney Island clamor for a casino, Senator Savino expects the gaming companies will make the final call about casino locations. “In the end, the people who determine where to build casinos will be the industry. They’re going to do a market analysis, Senator Savino said. “The state isn’t running or operating the casinos.”

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http://www.metro.us/newyork/newyork/...and-attraction
Casinos pitched as newest Coney Island attraction




EMILY ANNE EPSTEIN
January 10, 2012

Valerio Ferrari, president of Central Amusement International, the company that owns Coney Island’s Luna Park and Scream Zone, said that a casino would be a welcome addition to the boardwalk.

"A casino certainly has the potential to bring new visitors, jobs and economic opportunity, and is worth assessing further," Ferrari said.

[NYguy]

http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2012/0...f_cha_chas.php

Discovering Coney's Continuum in the Ashes of Cha Cha's



Monday, January 16, 2012
by Dave Hogarty

Sometimes you have to junk some history to find a little more of it. When workers began to demolish Cha Cha's Bar & Cafe to make room for a new restaurant on the Coney Island boardwalk, a mermaid and parts of even older signage was discovered preserved underneath. Coney Island blog Amusing The Zillion identified the drawings as part of the earlier Club Atlantis, Cha Cha's predecessor at the beach. Cha Cha's closed for good at the end of this summer, when the boardwalk bar was not one of the few establishments to receive a last minute reprieve from Zamperla via an offer to renew its lease.

http://amusingthezillion.com/2012/01...tis-resurface/

[NYguy]

http://www.brooklyndaily.com/stories..._01_20_bk.html

A kinder, gentler Cyclone

By Daniel Bush
Jan 18, 2012

The legendary Coney Island Cyclone will get a major overhaul that promises a safer, smoother, and less rickety experience — but roller coaster aficionados worry that the fix-up will take the thrills out of the 85-year-old thrill ride.

Beginning this month, workers will replace sections of the coaster’s wooden track that have been worn down by decades of heavy use — and the end result will be a coaster that rides more like a Cadillac than a Jeep, according to Tom Corsillo, of Central Amusement International, the owners of Luna Park who operates the city-owned coaster.

“It’s going to be a much smoother ride,” Corsillo told us.

But some Cyclone fans say getting banged around by the coaster is a big part of it’s appeal.

“There’s nothing more fun than riding the Cyclone and getting a few bruises,” said Josh Bauchner, who rides the Cyclone multiple times a year.

Bauchner was one of many coaster boosters who bemoaned the upgrades.

But Corsillo said the Cyclone’s faithful had nothing to worry about, claiming the Cyclone will now be safer, but still be scary — its top speed of 60 miles per hour will not be changed, and its hairpin turns that have been famous since the 1920s will not be affected by the update.

“What made the Cyclone popular is not changing,” Corsillo said.

“The average person won’t be able to tell the difference,” said Jim Barber, a spokesman for the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Organizations.

But Jason Herrera, the director of Amusement Safety Organization, said hard-core fans are in for a surprise.

“The changes will take away that shake, rattle and roll,” said Herrera, who says he’s familiar with the Cyclone experience.

The coaster’s last major upgrade came in the mid-1970s, when the city saved the ride from demolition.

Some pics from Elephant Man at the coneyisland.com message board...
http://www.coneyisland.com/cgi-bin/y...num=1326049158

• Video Link



• Video Link

[NYguy]

http://www.politicker.com/2012/02/02...rdwalk-empire/

Markowitz Pitches ‘Coney Island Boardwalk Empire’


By Colin Campbell 2/02

At last night’s State of the Borough address, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz took some time to reiterate his call for a new casino in the Coney Island neighborhood.

“I’m not talking about turning Coney Island into Atlantic City, that’s not what I’m not suggesting,” he said, before pivoting into one of his many jokes of the evening. “Although I look forward to setting my DVR to recording the smash HBO drama Coney Island Boardwalk Empire.”

“One casino would draw even more visitors, it would be a boom for local restaurants, bars and other establishments, while providing well-paying jobs for Coney Island residents,” he continued. “And we will be pressing that with Governor Cuomo.”

Some of the legislators that represent Coney Island have been skeptical of the specific plan to bring a casino to their neighborhood, including State Senator Diane Savino and Councilman Domenic Recchia.

From the coneyisland.com message board, pics taken by Elaphant Man show work continuing on the Cyclone.
http://www.coneyisland.com/cgi-bin/y...25792124/60#60

[NYguy]

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stori...from-boardwalk

NY1 Exclusive: Coney Island Business Owner To Move Entire Building From Boardwalk

02/02/2012
By: Jeanine Ramirez

Steve Bitetzakis is fighting back the only way he knows how. He lost his battle to keep his business, Steve's Grill House, on the Coney Island boardwalk and now he's taking the whole building with him.

"It's better than nothing, because they were looking to take the building from me," says Bitetzakis.

Bitetzakis erected the modular building back in 1993 on land that's changed owners several times over the years. The city now owns the land, but the Grill House is not part of plans for the new Coney Island. His lease was not renewed after the end of the season, but Bitetzakis says the building is his and a judge agreed he could keep it. However, he must move it if he wants it.

Bitetzakis says he plans on moving his building on February 10. The structure sits on concrete columns reinforced in steel and will be lifted with hydraulic jacks.

"They're going to move it on steel plates with dollies and they're going to slowly move it to the new location," says Bitetzakis. He’s still not sure where that new location will be, but Bitetzakis says it'll be somewhere in Coney Island, although he'd rather remain on the boardwalk. "I have ocean view. I've been here. I've built up a nice business. Of course I'd love to stay here," says Bitetzakis.

[THE BIG APPLE]

Brooklyn is already a dangerous place (especially at night). Gambling will only increase high blood pressure.

[sbarn]

Originally Posted by NYguy

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stori...from-boardwalk

NY1 Exclusive: Coney Island Business Owner To Move Entire Building From Boardwalk

02/02/2012
By: Jeanine Ramirez

That sucks, this was one of my favorite places on the boardwalk. Decent tacos and a good beer garden in the sand in the back. Bummer.

[NYguy]

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories..._02_10_bk.html

Parachute Jump lovers: Hey Marty! Take the leap!




By Daniel Bush
Feb 8, 2012

Borough President Markowitz wants the city to plunk down $2 million to outfit Coney Island’s historic Parachute Jump with enough lights to make it visible from orbit, but amusement ride enthusiasts say he should put the money into something more important — fulfilling his 2008 promise to update and reopen the 73-year-old icon. “For a few million dollars I could have hired some engineers and gotten the thing up and running,” said Walter Reiss, an amusement industry expert and former theme park operator said.

But Markowitz currently has no plans to retrofit the Parachute Jump. Instead, he wants to make it one of the most expensive light fixtures in history.

“We’ll relight the Parachute Jump with enough bling so it can be seen from outer space,” Markowitz — who will be term-limited out of Borough Hall at the end of 2013 — promised during his annual State of the Borough address on Feb. 1. “I know that this will be done before I leave office.

The Economic Development Corporation, the city agency in charge of funding the lighting project, is backing Markowitz’s plans, and is poised to issue a request for bids from companies interested in installing lights on the dark and defunct — but landmarked — 262-foot tower next month, agency spokesman Kyle Sklerov said.

[NYguy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...icle-1.1016763

Tourists flock to Coney Island’s new amusement parks



By Conor Febos And Erin Durkin
February 7, 2012

The new Coney Island is a hit with tourists - many from across the ocean. The number of out-of-town visitors to Coney’s two new amusement parks more than doubled last year - with 57,960 people coming from outside the New York metropolitan area in the 2011 summer season, up from 22,500 in 2010. Tourists are still a small proportion of all visitors to Coney Island, but their share is growing - from 5% of 450,000 visitors to Luna Park and Scream Zone in 2010 to 9% of 644,000 visitors in 2011.

“The reintroduction of the Coney Island brand to the world” drew thousands of mostly European visitors to the seasside attraction, said Valerio Ferrari, the U.S head of Italian amusement company Zamperla, which opened the parks.

The opening of the parks made a big splash in international media, from the company’s base in Italy to Japan and Brazil. “Once you’re here for a week in New York, you can take a day and take the train to Coney Island,” Ferrari said.

Even with the amusement parks shuttered for the winter, some tourists made it out on a warm day last week to check out the historic amusement mecca.

“I grew up in Italy hearing songs with Coney Island in the title, and always wanted to check it out,” said Marianka Campisi, 28, a theater producer from Rome, who added she was further encouraged to fit it into her itinerary by some buzz in an in-flight magazine. “I picked up a magazine when I boarded the plane...and the first thing it said in the magazine was the number one place to visit in New York was Coney Island.” Dominic Ronzo, 23, of Placerville, Calif., was shooting photos along the Boardwalk. “I wanted to see what New York had to offer, and after a few nights in Manhattan I decided I had to check out Coney Island,” he said. “I got here and was immediately amazed...I really appreciate a Boardwalk where you can hear five different languages in five different steps.”

[aquablue]

That Markowitz guy sounds strange.

Anyway, the parachute jump would be ideal for an observation platform IMO, in the future. Elevators or pods could bring you to the top. An attraction like that could really help Coney Island -- something like that new thing in London (the London Olympic tower). I think it would be better than the ride b/c it would attract more people.

[Roadcruiser1]

Originally Posted by aquablue

That Markowitz guy sounds strange.

Anyway, the parachute jump would be ideal for an observation platform IMO, in the future. Elevators or pods could bring you to the top. An attraction like that could really help Coney Island -- something like that new thing in London (the London Olympic tower). I think it would be better than the ride b/c it would attract more people.

It's better off being reactivated as a ride instead. Brooklyn can always have a taller building, but it only has one parachute jump.

[aquablue]

Originally Posted by Roadcruiser1

It's better off being reactivated as a ride instead. Brooklyn can always have a taller building, but it only has one parachute jump.

To each his own. I know I myself and many others are not interested in rides, therefore an observation platform with some character (and not just some building) would be the better choice. The top could even be changed to rotate slowly. Frankly, it would look fantastic. A ride to me is dull and not worth it, but again, everyone has different opinions. I'd prefer if Coney Island wasn't all about rides and junk food, and had more to offer people who want different things when out at the beach. How about some nice cafes, or musuems, or something? I find amusement parks tacky but I like active beaches like you see in Europe.

I hope the permanent phase will look nicer.. but won't happen for eons.. yawn.

[Roadcruiser1]

Originally Posted by aquablue

To each his own. I know I myself and many others are not interested in rides, therefore an observation platform with some character (and not just some building) would be the better choice. The top could even be changed to rotate slowly. Frankly, it would look fantastic. A ride to me is dull and not worth it, but again, everyone has different opinions. I'd prefer if Coney Island wasn't all about rides and junk food, and had more to offer people who want different things when out at the beach. How about some nice cafes, or musuems, or something? I find amusement parks tacky but I like active beaches like you see in Europe.

I hope the permanent phase will look nicer.. but won't happen for eons.. yawn.

Coney Island does have a museum.
http://www.coneyisland.com/museum.shtml

[aquablue]

Originally Posted by Roadcruiser1

Coney Island does have a museum.
http://www.coneyisland.com/museum.shtml

I don't think you understood what I meant. I'm talking about serious attractions that would be interesting to everybody, not some chintzy musuem about coney island.

[NYC4Life]

NY1

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stori...-with-landlord

10:06 AM
Coney Island Grill Owner Strikes Deal With Landlord
By: NY1 News

A Coney Island business owner planning to pick up and move himself and his restaurant has struck a deal with his landlord.

NY1 has learned the owner of Steve's Grill, and landlord Zamperla haven't signed anything yet, but confirm an agreement has been reached.

The Grill's lease was not renewed after last season. However, Steve Bitezakis took Zamperla to court, arguing the building is his.

A judge agreed he could keep it, but had to move it.

The Grill was built in 1993, though owner Steve Bitetzakis and his family have had businesses on the boardwalk since the 1950s.

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