Brooklyn's Progress
December 2007/January 2008

BY JILL D’AMICO

Mayor Michael Bloomberg chose to announce the city’s dramatic plan to redevelop Coney Island at a Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Nov. 8, and the business community came out in force to greet him.

Garguilo’s Restaurant, the 100-year old icon, played host to a mix of politicians, business owners, and community leaders, all of whom were waiting to hear how the city would be spearheading the rezoning, which will encompass 47 acres.

"When people around the nation hear the words 'Coney Island,' they think of fun in the sun, of beaches, boardwalks, and bumper cars on the Brooklyn shoreline," said Mayor Bloomberg. "But we all recognize that Coney Island just isn't what it could be.”

That the beachfront enclave needs an economic shot in the arm is news to no one, least of all the small business owners in the area.

Al O’Hagan was the president and executive director of the Coney Island Chamber of Commerce. It had been one of the oldest chambers in the country, until membership dried up and it was dissolved in 2005.

“All the members went out of business, and we had no one paying dues,” he said. “All I had left were two parks – Astroland and Deno’s. There used to be a little golf course, the batting range, all the games…”

“We’re happy about the development of Coney Island because we’ve been waiting for this train to come around for a long time,” said Dennis Vourderis, whose family owns and operates Deno’s Wonder Wheel amusement park. “We realized the potential of Coney Island many, many years ago.”

The planwill need to go through a lengthy public review process, which includes public meetings and a review by Community Board 13, the borough president, and city council.  The details of the envisioned Coney Island are outlined on the Department of City Planning’s Web site as having three elements:

Coney North: This five-block area currently contains “parking lots and vacant land fronting Surf Avenue, and 1- to 4-story, low rise residential buildings,” as well as Gargiulo's Restaurant.The proposed rezoning would bring predominantly housing units and about 100,000 square feet of retail. According to the city, “revitalization of these blocks would transform currently desolate streets into active and safer places improving connections to the surrounding neighborhood.”

Coney West: Another five block area, Coney West is now mostly city-owned land totaling about 420,000 square feet, which are currently used as parking lots for KeySpan Park. Plans for that parcel would allow for more housing and 360,000 square feet of retail.

Coney East: The glitziest was saved for last – this area is envisioned as a large amusement and entertainment district, which the city will be seeking a “world-class” operator for, according to Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Dan Doctoroff. The city hopes that rezoning Surf Avenue in this area would spur the development of enclosed amusements, hotels and entertainment related retail uses, such as movie theatres, large-scale entertainment venues, bowling alleys and restaurants that will sustain the area as a year-round destination.

“I know they are hoping that Six Flags or something like that will be taking it over, but I don’t see that happening,” said Mr. O’Hagan.

Before retiring from Keyspan and moving to southern New Jersey, Mr. O’Hagan had been deeply involved in the community. In addition to being an early member of the group that would become the Coney Island Development Corporation (CIDC), he began the Great Irish Fair in 1980, a large festival that draws thousands of people to Coney Island each summer.

Economic opportunity
With about 460,000 square feet of retail slated for the residential areas of Coney Island, local commerce will presumably have a spot in the new Coney Island.

"The new plan for Coney Island will dramatically increase not only the number, but also the types of retail possibilities for the area," said CIDC President Lynn Kelly.  "With local and national retailers, and entertainment-related retail in the amusement district, the revitalized Coney Island will provide the services and merchandise residents want and need, and a variety of new attractions for visitors, such as movie theaters, restaurants, bowling alleys, and perhaps a water park."

The mayor’s plan is not without contention, however. The plan’s biggest obstacle may lay in obtaining the land it wishes to develop - Thor Equities’ Joe Sitt owns about 80% of the land in the city’s imagined amusement district. Mr. Sitt’s spokesman Stefan Friedman would not comment for this piece.

The amusement park would continue to be anchored by the Cyclone and Wonder Wheel, both functioning rides and city landmarks, as well as the landmark Parachute Jump.

But while the Wonder Wheel itself is landmarked, the other rides in Deno's are not.

“Now that they city wants to put their efforts into building this mecca, that’s great, but if it involves our property being taken, we don’t want that,” said Mr. Vourderis.  “We just want to continue to do what we’ve been doing for the past 30 years, which is operate a safe, clean family friendly amusement park.”

Mr. Vourderis said he has been in touch with the city prior to and since the announcement.

“We have an open channel of communication,” he said. “That’s always been there.”

Until then, the Vourderis family is looking to next season.

“We’re going to open March 18 by hook or by crook. Some people will be at the gate, waiting to get on the Wonder Wheel,” said Mr. Vourderis. “We’re just going to focus on getting ready for that.”