Night Falls on Astroland

astroland.08_09.jpg
Unable to come to terms with the landlord, Thor Equities, Astroland instead will close up shop. This Sunday will be the final day, says co-owner Carol Albert, whose lease ends in January. "My employees cannot live in a state of limbo any longer. It takes six months to pack up a three-acre amusement park that has been in operation for 46 years, so a Jan. 31 deadline means start packing yesterday. We are out of time," said her statement, printed in the New York Times. Albert and her husband sold the land to Thor Equities for $30 million in 2006, and later the company offered renderings of the mixed-use amusement park it planned to create, including shops and housing. The Alberts accuse Thor Equities of turning their backs on the amusement park in favor of creating retail and expensive residential projects, but Thor released its own statement: "Coney Island will be fully open for business in the summer of 2009 with amusements, games, shopping and entertainment galore." Apparently, that entertainment won't be Astroland, which employs 350 people. Sad as it is, there is one silver lining: the landmarked Cyclone roller coaster, which operates under a separate agreement, will remain in action.
Yet Again, Astroland Threatens to Close [NY Times]
Astroland Co-Owner: 'We Are Out of Time' [NY Observer]
Coney's Astroland to Die on Sunday [Gothamist]
Rides Into the Sunset [NY Post]
Photo by zin1223.

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Comments

I've heard the Wonder Wheel will remain as well as the Cyclone.

Unconfirmed.

Posted by: Prodigal_Son at September 5, 2008 9:15 AM

Isn't the cyclone landmarked?

Posted by: dittoburg at September 5, 2008 9:34 AM

Wow--that is really sad. I have been going there since I was a kid. My grandmother lived in Sheepshead Bay and we would go there all the time from her house. No way to recreate that scene once its gone.

Posted by: wasder at September 5, 2008 9:34 AM

the cyclone and the wonderwheel are landmarked. I think the Parachute Jump is also but as for the rest- a sad passing of an era.

Posted by: bxgrl at September 5, 2008 9:55 AM

I would not be surprised if in days or weeks to come, this ends up looking like so much saber rattling. Then again, I sadly would be unsurprised if this is indeed the end. One thing to keep in mind about the lease: if the Alberts hadn't sold the land, they wouldn't have one to worry about. I don't like Thor, but the Alberts are hardly innocents.

Posted by: altervoce at September 5, 2008 10:04 AM

they should demolish the projects

Posted by: blackstoner at September 5, 2008 10:13 AM

If there's landmarking to be done, Bump Your Ass Off and Shoot the Geek should not be ignored.

Posted by: deadnancy at September 5, 2008 10:26 AM

Thor Equities will slowly but surely destroy Brooklyn stripping it of its history and character and replacing it with big box stores and malls. Astroland will disappear from coney island and they are still working on bringing BJ's to Red Hook and turning our precious waterfront property into a big box enclaves.

Posted by: Left Hook at September 5, 2008 11:02 AM

The Alberts sold the land to a private developer- there's a good chance that keeping Astroland was never part of the plan. Thor might have just been buying time, waiting for the amusement park to pack up. They're probably going to build something more lucrative, such as condos. If the Alberts wanted to keep Astroland running, they probably should have worked with the city.

But then again, working with government can be a lengthy process, and Thor was offering a good sum of money. The Alberts thought they could have their cake and eat it too.

Posted by: dash at September 5, 2008 11:03 AM

The Alberts decided to sell once the City and Thor Properties began the process of "upgrading" the area. but the City wanted an all season amusement park and the Alberts, after much deliberation decided that trying to convert to a year round amusement park was too much for them. They have not soldthe business and are supposedly still looking for another spot to reopen. they will continue to operate the Cyclone. Also not mentioned was the underlying eminent domain threat. Don't forget, the City wants to remake the Coney Island area. Forget what used to be called the Working man's Riviera. Once Thor and the city redevelop, folks like us will be lucky to have a pocket park on the Atlantic.

Posted by: bxgrl at September 5, 2008 11:16 AM

Prodigal Son mentioned the Wonder Wheel in his comment above. That is part of Deno's, not Astroland. I haven't been following this closely, what is the status of Deno's park -- is it threatened, too? Is the WW landmarked? Just curious how much of the amusements will be there next summer.

Posted by: slopefarm at September 5, 2008 11:25 AM

Deadnancy! You took the words right out of my mouth. Both classic elements of the perfectly degraded Coney Island. Although isn't it "Shoot the Freak?"

Posted by: wasder at September 5, 2008 12:36 PM

I think the word "geek" comes from an old Tyrone Power movie where a geek was a carnie who bit the heads off of live chickens. I'm serious.

Posted by: bxgrl at September 5, 2008 12:41 PM

Ach! You're right, wasder.

No offense to Eak...

Posted by: deadnancy at September 5, 2008 12:43 PM

The kiddie park that fronts the boardwalk is owned by Thor now I believe. The Wonder Wheel itself and other rides connected to Deno's are their.

People, also please realize that Astroland is not the Wonder Wheel park and visa versa. In fact most of the rides and attractions have no connection to one another. That's part of the reason Thor got this far. All the owners there have always cut deals behind the scenes to screw each other over. Now? They screwed themselves over by looking out for themselves and nobody else.

Say goodnight Gracie. But lets hope that Thor goes under. They have no amusement experience and they simply buy land/property and let it sit fallow until a zoning variance comes and then they flip it. Practically all of the property they own in NYC is empty and underdeveloped. They are good for nothing and make Forrest City Ratner look like angels.

Posted by: Jack at September 5, 2008 3:16 PM

"I've heard the Wonder Wheel will remain as well as the Cyclone."

I think I've read that [posted] on each ride (I ride them a few times each summer).
Unfortunately, the Zipper is not. Although not an historical machine of fine craftsmanship, it's been my lifelong favorite ride.

Posted by: broadwayron at September 5, 2008 4:28 PM

Where's eminent domain when you need it?

This would be an ideal use of it. It would even make a great campaign issue for a mayoral candidate.

A speech in front of the wonder wheel which states:

"Let's use eminent domain for the people instead of the fat cats"

I think it would play well. It would also have the added bonus of scaring Thor into behaving.

Posted by: slick at September 6, 2008 6:23 PM