Brooklyn's Progress
March 2004

The Coney Island Development Corporation (CIDC) announced on Feb. 19 the creation of a new website to provide information on CIDC and its progress in the redevelopment of the Coney Island section of Brooklyn. The website, http://www.thecidc.org/, provides information about CIDC and Coney Island, progress reports, press releases and publications. It also provides interested individuals or organizations a means to contact CIDC for more information.

“Mayor Bloomberg is committed to working with all stakeholders in the City’s vital and diverse neighborhoods to improve them for residents, businesses and visitors,” said Joshua J. Sirefman, CIDC President and Chief Operating Officer, New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC). “By establishing this website, we ensure that all interested parties will be kept abreast of our progress as we move forward with our plans to develop this unique waterfront, attract diverse new businesses and transform Coney Island into a year-round visitor destination.”

The Coney Island Development Corporation was formed in September 2003 with a mandate to create a comprehensive, viable plan to promote a more diversified business community and better employment opportunities. It consists of 13 members appointed by Mayor Bloomberg, the City Council and the Borough President. Each serves a two-year term. The thirteen-member group met in November to begin the comprehensive planning process for Coney Island and create a coordinated economic development strategy.

“Brooklyn’s Coney Island neighborhood and its beach, boardwalk, aquarium and KeySpan Park are major summer destinations for the borough and citywide residents,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “A website is a viable tool that will broaden CIDC’s reach as well as attract economic investment and year-round tourism to Coney Island and its surrounding neighborhoods.”

Earlier this year, EDC issued a Request for Proposals on behalf of CIDC for a consultant or team of consultants to complete a strategic development plan for Coney Island. The selected consultant will build on work that has already been done to recommend short- and long-term improvements for the Coney Island community and all aspects of the area, including strengthening its commercial base, developing vacant property and marketing the area for year-round use. Development of the plan will take about six months to complete.

The Administration, City Council and Borough President recognize that Coney Island must transform itself from a seasonal economy to a more robust year-round business district. To accomplish its goals, CIDC will seek ways to improve neighborhood business conditions and quality of life, encourage development of affordable and market-rate housing, further improve public spaces, waterfront access and community facilities, while supporting the existing amusement and sports-based businesses.

“The residents and businesspeople of Coney Island know what a unique treasure the area is,” said Councilmember Dominic Recchia. “The creation of this new website will make it possible for all those interested, including potential visitors, to keep up with our progress as we move forward with redevelopment plans to make it even better.”

The 13 members of the Coney Island Development Corporation are:

• Josh Sirefman, President, CIDC & Chief Operating Officer, NYC Economic Development Corporation
• Pamela Adamo, Vice President, KeySpan Energy
• Kenneth Adams, President, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
• Sol Adler, Executive Director, 92nd Street Y and resident of Seagate, Coney Island
• Jon Benguiat, Director of Planning & Development, Office of the Brooklyn Borough President
• Marty Levine, Member, Community Board 13 and Coney Island Chamber of Commerce, and Executive Director of Friends of the Boardwalk
• Astrudge McLean, Treasurer, CIDC and Owner, Sign O’Rama in Coney Island, Representing the Coney Island Board of Trade
• Judi Orlando, Executive Director, Astella Development Corporation
• Cynthia Reich, Secretary, CIDC and Deputy Director, New York Aquarium
• Chuck Reichenthal, District Manager, Community Board 13
• Sheryl Robertson, Director, South Brooklyn Community Development Corporation and Member of Community Board 13
• Julius Spiegel, Brooklyn Commissioner, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation 
• Terry Stanley, Vice President, CIDC and Principal, Washington Square Partners