Coney Island discussion thread

BizarroAj · Nov 2, 2010

<a class="postlink" href="http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/nine-coney-i-boardwalk-businesses-lose-leases/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/ ... se-leases/</a>

9 Coney Island Boardwalk Businesses Lose Leases

Sometimes it seems as if some of Coney Island must die so that the historic amusement district can be saved — even if it means the death of Shoot the Freak.

Early on Monday, the owners of Shoot the Freak, Ruby’s bar, Coney Island Souvenirs, Gyro Corner, Beer Garden and four other boardwalk operators were informed that their leases would not be renewed. And the operator of the Cyclone roller coaster is also leaving Coney Island.

Carol Albert, whose family has run the historic roller coaster since 1975, said she was bowing out of the amusement scene. She said it was likely that Central Amusement International, the company that recently opened Luna Park amusement park next door, would wind up as the new operator. Central Amusement, a subsidiary of the Italian company Zamperla, won a 10-year lease from the city to open the 3.1-acre amusement park, which had a very successful inaugural season this year.

Ms. Albert, who was forced to sell the adjacent Astroland amusement park to a developer two years ago, said that she could no longer afford to operate the Cyclone under a lease with the city’s parks department. Her fixed costs jumped 600 percent over the past four years, she said, “and something had to be done.”

The boardwalk businesses occupied mostly dilapidated structures on the boardwalk near Stillwell Avenue. Central Amusement plans to spend several million dollars renovating the buildings and addressing building code violations. The company also plans to open a new Scream Zone adjacent to Luna Park with dramatic roller coasters and other thrill rides.

Anthony Berlingeri, who owns Shoot the Freak and Beer Island, is angry that longtime business owners are being expelled. Central Amusement had asked 11 boardwalk business owners, whose leases expired Sunday, to submit proposals for new nine-year leases. Mr. Berlingeri said the company told him it would replace his three-year-old Beer Island, a popular sandy beer garden, with “something similar.”

“This is all coming at the expense of the people who kept the place going through the good and bad times,” Mr. Berlingeri said on Monday. “I made the investment when I started Beer Island. Now they’re throwing me out to take my business over.”

Nathan’s, the hot-dog stand, will be allowed to continue operating in the amusement district, as will Lola Star’s gift shop.

“They might be killing one aspect of Coney that will certainly be missed,” said Dennis Vourderis, whose family runs the landmark Wonder Wheel and a kiddie park. “But I hope they keep some of the flavor of the boardwalk vendors. I’m shocked by the news.”

This month, the parks department plans to solicit bids for a new lease for a Cyclone operator.

“My heart goes out to people who have worked here all their lives,” said Dick Zigun, executive director of Coney Island USA, which runs a sideshow, the annual Mermaid parade and the Coney Island Museum. “But let’s not separate Coney Island from the cruel world of New York real estate politics and the way real estate leases work under capitalism.”

From behind the bar at Ruby’s on Monday morning, Michael Sorrell was commiserating with customers and other business owners. Ruby’s has been a fixture on the boardwalk since 1934 and the pathway nearby is named after the founder, Ruby Jacob. Mr. Sorrell has until Nov. 15 to shut down.

“It’s been in the family a long time,” said Mr. Sorrell, who married into the family. “I understand the developer wants to move ahead with new things. In New York City, there should be room for new things and old things. Apparently, not in Coney Island.”

Central Amusement issued a statement Monday promising to extend its “vision of a resurgent Coney Island” to the boardwalk. The company said it had invested $15 million already in Luna Park, where 19 rides drew 450,000 visitors this summer, and planned to spend millions more on the boardwalk. “We look forward to creating an incredible new experience on the Boardwalk, while continuing to honor Coney Island’s magnificent past,” the company said.
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Mr. Six · Nov 2, 2010

I wouldn't be surprised if the closing of Cyclone is the result of this.

mrceagle · Nov 2, 2010

You will not see Cyclone close. the city owns it so it's only a mater of finding a new operator.

as for the businesses loosing the lease it was going to happen. Zamperla was calling the shots and they have the most to gain by their closing. Hell the bar is even being replaced by another bar.

depotrat · Nov 4, 2010

These folks knew this was a real possibility. They do not own the land or buildings, they have leases. When you rent rather than own you are at the mercy of other people at renewal time. Their approach and appearance don't fit the new vision for the area. It may seem unfair but it is the way it is going.

The good news is that the area is staying as amusements and not going to condos like so many beachfront park areas have over the last 20 years.

As for the Cyclone, it will continue to run. I would expect magnetic brakes to be added soon. The old braking means vastly higher insurance costs. I would also expect new people running the ride. Being belted in by people with cigarettes hanging from their lips is probably over. Wouldn't be surprised to see the reride for cash system changed also.

djcyberlegend · Nov 4, 2010

depotrat said:

The good news is that the area is staying as amusements and not going to condos like so many beachfront park areas have over the last 20 years.
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Longer than that actually. That's exactly what happened to Paragon at the end of the 1984 season.

screaminkid2005 · Nov 4, 2010

Honestly while it sucks that some people are losing their businesses because of this, I think its a great move. I remember going to Astroworld before Luna Park and thinking this place is pretty trashy. I likened it to a getto carnival, which don't get me wrong, I still had fun, but things needed to change for people to come. I'm happy the area has been given a new chance at life and hopefully everything works out!

I'm debating going to the new park when I go to NY this year, I just want to make sure that new Scream Zone is open!

mrceagle · Nov 6, 2010

It's definitely a fresher look and a cleaner look. don't think all of the businesses that are loosing their lease should be though. I would really like to see a full lease.

BizarroAj · Apr 21, 2011

You can see the rides here: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.lunaparknyc.com/screamzone.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.lunaparknyc.com/screamzone.html</a>

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/21/us-travel-coneyisland-rollercoasters-idUSTRE73K4DY20110421" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/ ... DY20110421</a>

New York's Coney Island gets new rollercoasters

The first new roller coasters to be built at Coney Island in 80 years were opened on Wednesday as part of efforts to reverse the decline of New York City's world-famous theme park.

The Soarin' Eagle and Steeplechase roller coasters are part of the new multimillion-dollar Scream Zone theme park, that replaced several more ramshackle attractions that had their own loyal followings.

"Last summer was Coney Island's biggest in nearly a half century, and this year -- with the addition of the first new roller coasters since the Cyclone opened in 1927 -- it's going to be even bigger," New York City Mayor Bloomberg said on Wednesday.

"It had been decades since Coney Island saw any significant investment and the famed amusement district had dwindled as a result."

The City of New York rezoned Coney Island in 2009 in an attempt to revitalize the neighborhood by preserving some of its historic attractions while encouraging the development of hotels, restaurants and retail stores in the amusement district and affordable housing in the surrounding residential neighborhoods.

The city bought three parcels of land, totaling 6.9 acres, and signed a 10-year lease with Central Amusement International, a New Jersey-based subsidiary of the Italian amusement park-ride manufacturer Zamperla, to build new theme parks.

The first, Luna Park, opened last year, helping attract more than 450,000 visitors to the neighborhood last summer, the city said.

Under the revitalization plan, the city is spending more than $150 million on improvements to Coney Island, which has attracted thrill-seeking New Yorkers and tourists since the late 19th century.

Mayor Bloomberg says the investment will result in 6,000 permanent jobs and create $14 billion of economic activity in New York over the next 30 years.

The redevelopment has had detractors, stirring the same sort of feelings as did the transformation of Times Square from an edgy neighborhood into a family-friendly tourist attraction.

While some saw the Coney Island of the recent past as old-fashioned and seedy, others saw it as an authentic and charming neighborhood where small-scale entrepreneurs could flourish.
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BizarroAj · Mar 31, 2012

For those who dont know Coney opens for the 2012 season tomorrow!

redsd2121 · Mar 31, 2012

Theres actually a large possibility I'm going to Coney Island during April Break!

SFNEKid15 · Apr 1, 2012

I need to go to Coney Island some day. Its a bucket list, classic amusement park. Sad I couldn't ride the original Cyclone.

mrceagle · Apr 1, 2012

I have not been to Coney since the summer of 2001. I had the opportunity to experience Astroland which I really enjoyed. I really wish hat Luna park had been build on the old Steaplechase property. a few great attractions one of which being the custom arrow flume.

BizarroAj · Apr 3, 2012

Video ; <a class="postlink" href="http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/158605/coney-island-rides-soar-as-fun-filled-season-begins" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/ ... son-begins</a>

Coney Island Rides Soar As Fun-Filled Season Begins

Summer is still more than two months away, but Coney Island is getting a head start on the season.

The neighborhood's amusement parks officially opened Sunday with the annual blessing of the rides, and the traditional egg-cream christening of the Cyclone.

The 85-year-old roller coaster was one of several rides to get a makeover.

A small crowd waited for hours to be among the first 100 people to ride the famous attraction and got their thrills for free.
Coney Island Rides Soar As Fun-Filled Season Begins

"Coney Island is the mother of all amusement parks in America. It was the original and still the best. Everyone else follows Coney Island," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

"It's just a nostalgic thing, my family have been coming down here since I was a child, born and raised here on Coney Island. It's just a big thrill that this ride that is 85 years old is still here. It's amazing," said one thrill seeker.

Crews replaced 280-feet of track over the winter, and park owners say that makes for a smoother and faster ride.

Meanwhile, the Wonder Wheel is also taking on a modern spin this season.

Sunday saw most of rides at Coney Island in full swing, including those at another famous staple, Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, which held it's 34th annual Blessing of the Rides.

As is their tradition, they welcomed 300 children from Coney Island's Sea and Salt Mission which provides thousands of free meals a month to local kids.

They too got to ride for free, including the latest attractions at the family-owned amusement park.

As for the Wonder Wheel itself, the swinging cars will once again light up, but this time they will be solar powered.

Debuting later this season are new go-kart rides and a trapeze that will swing out over the boardwalk.

Now that it's been officially blessed, the park will be open every weekend until Memorial Day. After that it will welcome crowds daily all summer long.
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BizarroAj · Nov 29, 2012

<a class="postlink" href="http://brooklyn.ny1.com/content/top_stories/173002/ny1-exclusive--luna-park-operator-wins-bid-to-light-up-coney-island-s-parachute-jump" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://brooklyn.ny1.com/content/top_sto ... chute-jump</a>

Zamperla, the company that runs Luna Park, has won the city's bid to add lights to the famed parachute jump at Coney Island.

The company has released video of what the ride would look like if the lighting plan goes through.

The proposal is set to go before the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission on December 11.

If approved, the lights are expected to be installed and turned on by next summer.
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mrceagle · Nov 29, 2012

i want to know who from Zamprla is Sleeping with who in the city because they seem to be getting everything.

I don't get the Peacock feather look to the top and the main structure looks a bit dull. Apparently they presented a video I wish that was up somewhere but I haven't found it yet. I'm curious who else submitted to do the work. there are so many companies that do LED lighting work. A number of which are US companies.

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