Coney Island Plan Scaled Back

Posted | Contributed by bobthecoasterguy

Joseph J. Sitt, who says his company has spent $120 million buying up land underneath and around the rides, said on Friday that he had “rolled over” in response to the criticism of his earlier plans for an entertainment and residential complex. So the looming 40-story tower planned for the Boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue is gone. So are the hundreds of rental apartments and luxury condominiums in the old plan. The new proposal is less dense, he said, but has more of “the new, the edgy, and the outlandish” rides and attractions that America’s first resort was once known for.

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I read the story, and I found myself totally buying into the project. That guy really is that good!

Here's the problem with all of the caution and fear by the planning and city folk. They're so crippled with the fear that if something doesn't happen, it can all go away. Inaction can be worse than something that may or may not work.

Sounds like what's going on in Sandusky right now with the planned Marina District. There is e a very vocal group of people that fear anything new, and if they're not careful, they will scare off this developement and the word will get out that dealing with the City of Sandisky is more trouble than it's worth.

I hope not.

-Tambo

You always get people who object to things simply because someone else is going to make money (like that's such a bad thing).

The one thing that did bug me about the article was the part about providing jobs for blacks, nightclubs for Russians, and high end retail for Jews and Italians. I hope something just got lost in the translation. The area isn't large enough to be that compartmentalized.

Yeah I found that part to be puzzling as well. Only black people need jobs? Russians all want nightclubs, etc. etc.? Couldn't he just have easily have said something more like "there'll be plenty of jobs with nightlife, high end retail" and so on and have the same effect without any need to stereotype and compartmentalise?

Sounds like a really good plan though. In the two months or so I've spent in the USA over the past few years, I don't think any place I've come across came off as so uniquely American as Coney Island. Redeveloping the area is definitely overdue, but every care should be taken to ensure that nothing, or as little, of the area's unique culture is lost in the process. If that means waiting and ensuring that it's done properly, then I think that's a price most people concerned would be willing to pay.

From what I understand, Property has been bought up or the rights to it and some demolition is already underway.

If they don't institute a plan, Not much will be there when it's scrapped.

"You're Russian, so all you can do is run a nightclub."

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