Report on "The Future of Coney Island"
Coney Island Panel Discussion Recap
Last Thursday’s panel discussion at CUNY was fascinating – and contained some critical perspectives on the future of Coney Island. Click here for a full report on our website, but here’s the highlights:
Veteran developer David Malmuth argued that the key to Coney Island’s success is gaining control of critical parcels of land in the amusement area through a public or civic land acquisition. These include parcels currently owned by Thor Equities and Horace Bullard. Malmuth cited the enormous success of Luna Park, which was made possible by a purchase of land last December by the City. But he argued that more land needed to be purchased to make the amusement area a true destination and to safeguard the future of the historic buildings threatened with demolition. “Keeping those historic buildings is massively important in terms of connecting people to place. If you knock them down, then it could be anywhere along the water’s edge,” Malmuth said. “But if you keep those buildings, and you transform them, it’s a statement of hope that is really extraordinarily powerful”.
Zamperla USA CEO Valerio Ferrari discussed their plans to build on the success of Luna Park next season with the opening of the “Scream Zone” on land parcels on both sides of Stillwell Avenue adjacent to the boardwalk. This land was also purchased by the City last December.
Historian Michael Immerso gave a historical overview of Coney Island and World Monuments Fund Chief Operating Officer Lisa Ackerman put Coney Island in the context of other extraordinary American landscapes, including the 1964 World’s Fair Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Park and Route 66. Ackerman discussed how important the preservation of Coney Island’s landscape is from an international perspective.
With regards to Malmuth’s presentation, we agree that more land needs to be acquired — both for amusements and to safeguard the threatened historic buildings. Unfortunately, the City at this moment seems unlikely to make this kind of investment. Other sources of funding — such as a land trust, philanthropic or civic entities, or even sources at the federal level — need to be identified. We’ll be studying this issue over the next few weeks.
Walking Tour on Sundays (now, through October!)
Don’t miss the chance to join us in our walking tour of historic Coney Island! The guided tour will cover all the historic buildings along Surf Avenue, as well as Coney’s existing landmarks. We will discuss the famous history of the district and the importance of restoring its historic buildings in order to create a unique 21st Century Coney Island.
WHERE – In front of the Shore Theater, on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Aves
WHEN – Sunday, October 10th at 11:00 am (and every Sunday thereafter through the end of October; rain or shine)
FREE! (but suggested donation of $10 appreciated)
All comers get a free Save Coney Island button and a copy of our brand new Save Coney Island map! (while supplies last!)
Other Coney News…
“Revival Risks Coney Island Soul”
Crain’s New York
“City Seeks New Operator for Cyclone”
New York Post