Coney Island Area
July 2, 2009
Council Members Push for More Time on Coney Plan
Yesterday's City Council Land Use Committee Hearing and the Bloomberg administration's plans for Coney Island didn't go as well as the city would have liked, reports the Brooklyn Eagle. A number of Council Members, including Recchia, Avella and Yassky, argued for a delay in the ULURP process, suggesting at the same time that they were not in favor of the city's plan. Yassky said that he thought the private sector was better equipped to implement the redevelopment of the touristy area. Other areas of concern raised in all-day session were a need for more affordable housing, the potential for the use of eminent domain and whether the city has the financial means to carry through on the plan. The calls for delay and skeptical questioning followed the opening session in which Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, EDC head Seth Pinksy and Brooklyn City Planning honcho Purnima Kapur all gave prepared statements in support of the plan. The Council has only until July 13 to modify the plan and until July 29 to cast a final vote on it.
City’s Coney Island Plan Meets With Council Opposition [Brooklyn Eagle]
June 30, 2009
Crain's: Joe Sitt Feels Misunderstood
Joe Sitt, the local boy made good, has Coney Island's best interests at heart but can't get the public, or public officials, to believe him. That's the gist of a profile in yesterday's Crain's:
"It's my passion to make Coney Island better,” says the suddenly teary-eyed chief executive of Thor Equities. “It is the place where I played hooky and grew up. I want to give back to the neighborhood and to New York City.”
Trouble is, many people simply don't believe him.
To some, he's the man who wants to turn Coney Island into a soulless mall; to others, he just a savvy negotiator trying to milk the most he can out of the city for his land. To some others though, his heart really is in the right place. “He has gotten a bad rap,” says Chris Havens, head of Brooklyn-based brokerage Creative Real Estate Group. “He wants to build.” At this point, though, none of that may matter. With the City Planning Commission having approved the city's redevelopment plan for Coney Island, it's all going to come down to the City Council vote. According to Crain's, Sitt's childhood buddy, Council Member Recchia, likely has the power to produce a "no" vote from his fellow council members.
Coney Island Keeper [Crain's]
June 18, 2009
City Planning Votes in Favor of City's Coney Plan
On the heels of EDC head Seth Pinksy's recent editorial in the Daily News, the City Planning Commission yesterday approved by a 12-0 margin the rezoning plan that accompanies the City's plan for redeveloping Coney Island. The special zoning district encompasses 17 blocks located between the Aquarium, the Riegelmann Boardwalk, Mermaid Avenue and West 22nd Street and covers residential development to the west as well as 27 acres of amusements to the east; the mapping and demapping of some parkland and streets are also a part of the package. Needless to say, Joe Sitt, whose Thor Equities owns more than 10 acres of land in the footprint, wasn't cheering the result: “The whole concept of the government taking over the site and building it … and then dealing with the state is mind-boggling,” he told The Brooklyn Paper. Other unhappy campers include Dick Zigun, Lola Staar and the group Save Coney Island, who got together to send out a press release knocking yesterday's decision. “Coney Island equals amusements, and we have to make the amusement area bigger, not smaller,” said Dianna Carlin (aka Lola Staar). Mayor Bloomberg begged to differ: "We cannot allow Coney Island’s decline to continue, and the opportunity to create 6,000 permanent jobs and 25,000 construction jobs in addition to 4,500 new housing units – 900 of them affordable to low and middle income families – cannot be passed up." Next and final stop for the rezoning: City Council.
Planning Commission Approves Unloved Coney Plan [Village Voice via Curbed]
Planning Commission Votes for Coney Plan [Brooklyn Eagle]
Joe Says Bloomy’s Coney Rezoney is Baloney [Brooklyn Paper]
The Fight for the Future of Coney Island [Brownstoner]
City Looks to Compromise on Coney [Brownstoner]
June 16, 2009
Closing Bell: Coney Island Mermaids Visit DCP
Yesterday, the Coney Island Mermaids and friends made the journey to lower Manhattan to see City Planning Commission Chair Amanda Burden at the Department of City Planning. Angie Pontani (Miss Cyclone), the Coney Island Mermaids, Musician Amos Wengler, and Rapid T. Rabbit arrived to deliver hundreds of signed postcards pleading with the city to reconsider the shrinking of Coney Island's historic amusement district. The City Planning Commission votes tomorrow on the redevelopment plan.
June 11, 2009
Sitt Says Thor's Coney Land No Longer for Sale
The public negotiation continues! Last year Joe Sitt said that he would part with his company's 10.5-acres of land in Coney Island for $165 million. Earlier this year the city, which has its own plans for remaking the area, offered $105 million. Now Sitt says the property's not for sale at all. "We don't want to sell, we want to build," Sitt told the NY Post. It'll be interesting to see who wins this game of chicken. In the end, the city holds the ultimate trump card—eminent domain.
Coney Man Kicks Sand in Mike's Face [NY Post]
City Makes Sitt an Offer He Can Refuse [Brownstoner]
The Fight for the Future of Coney Island [Brownstoner]
Photo by Tricia Vita
June 1, 2009
Coney Arena Opponents Now Dwelling on Sound
When plans for the $64 million Coney Island concert arena championed by Borough Prez Marty Markowitz were revealed earlier this year, there was the inevitable outcry from naysayers in the neighborhood. At first, the opposition said the money should be spent on schools instead. More recently, a local synagogue has threatened to invoke an obscure law prohibiting amplified sound within 500 feet of religious buildings while services are taking place; this could pose a particular problem given that synagogues tend to be in session on Friday and Saturday nights just when you'd want to be having the highest profile concerts. The architects behind the project spoke out in the Daily News yesterday to explain that the new set-up would actually result in less noise for the nabe: "The same concert turned to the same volume won't sound as loud," said Mark Husser, an architect at Grimshaw, the international firm drawing up plans for the proposed Coney Island Center inside Asser Levy Park. "I've entertained the people in that neighborhood since 1991," added Markowitz. "I've put a smile on their face for 31 years. Why would I want them to frown?"
Planners Try to Hush Asser Levy Critics [NY Daily News]
Coney's Potato Chip Amphitheater Revealed [Brownstoner]
Community Concerns About Marty's Coney Concert Space [Brownstoner]
May 20, 2009
Closing Bell: Coney Island History Project
The Coney Island History Project center opens for the 2009 season next Saturday with a new exhibition called "Coney Island Icons: The Story Behind the Landmarks of the World's Playground." Come check out all sorts of archival photos, interviews, souvenirs, etc. of four of the area's most storied attractions—The Cyclone Roller Coaster, Wonder Wheel, Parachute Jump and Childs Building. The center is located at 824 Surf Avenue under the Cyclone and is open weekends through Memorial Day.
May 7, 2009
Marty Weighs In On City's Coney Plan
In a press release yesterday, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz released his testimony on the City's plan for Coney Island. Here's an excerpt:
I am pleased to approve the City’s plan, along with what I view as some “improvements.” My recommendations can be summed up this way: Number one, add more amusements. Number two, guarantee that famous Coney Island glitz and “bling” by creating a design committee to ensure awe-inspiring architecture. And finally, make sure that anything we build we “build with Coney, by Coney and for Coney”—that is, we must ensure that the local community gets the jobs, affordable housing, rewards and resources that come along with revitalization. The local community deserves nothing less!
Let me start with my call for more amusements. As you know, it has always been my goal to ensure Coney Island remains an amusement park. That is to say, it should not be a place for quote-unquote “big-box” retail. As you know, I have not agreed with the community board in allowing greater square footage for retail. Clubs—yes! Restaurants—yes! Bowling alleys—sure! Hotels—of course! Hotels are part of the Coney tradition (there was once a hotel shaped like an elephant!) but Coney Island must not become a mall. It must be an amusement park—a vibrant part of this City’s tourist economy.
Photo by the waving cat
April 30, 2009
Thor's Big-Box Dreams for Coney Island
Critics of Thor Equities' efforts to boost the maximum retail size limit for the new Coney Island zoning from 2,500 square feet to 10,000 square feet have long feared that the developer wants to turn the historic amusements area into another charmless strip mall. They appear to have had it right: According to a pitch book that a tipster tells us was used to (unsuccessfully) lobby Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, the kind of tenants Thor is dreaming about for Coney include such charming mom-and-pops as Toys R Us, Bass Pro Shops and the Hard Rock Cafe. Gag us with a spoon! The pitch also included a push to prevent the extension of Bowery Street between Jones Walk and West 10th Street because it would "eliminate the opportunity to provide a main attraction or destination."
Cozy in Coney: Sitt and Recchia [Brownstoner]
City Makes Sitt an Offer He Can Refuse [Brownstoner]
April 29, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
Photo by Kristen Goode
Return of the Carroll Gardens Empanada Lady
The Empanada Lady has been setting up shop on Sackett and Smith once again, but according to About.com: Brooklyn, "[her] schedule is a tricky one. She and her cart can go missing for weeks at a time. The only way to tell if she's open for business? Look for her 'specials of the day' sign to appear on Smith Street -- No sign, no empanada lady." However, Chowhound pupburger makes her sound more high-tech than that: "According to her website, her hours vary according to her sales, check twitter for updates on her whereabouts." We can't find the URL -- is this 'Hound for real?
Catering to "Obsessions with Food and Real Estate"
Brooklyn Laundry is one of those dinner clubs (like the Whisk & Ladle or 4 Course Vegan) where patrons pay ahead to dine with strangers in a secret location. But this one has a twist for those interested in real estate: The dinner parties will be "housed in (among other places) various apartments on the market... Whether you’ll dine in a Madison penthouse or on an Orchard Street rooftop is anyone’s guess," says Daily Candy. Dinner costs $60 per person (or $80 with wine).
Brooklyn Restaurant and Bar Openings
The Flying Cow, an "eclectic Argentine-style restaurant—part Latin steakhouse, part tapas bar," is now open at 2 Hope Street (near Roebling Street) in Williamsburg, says Time Out New York... An Eater tipster says that the old Marco Polo Take Out space on Court Street (near Union Street) in Carroll Gardens will soon house a wine bar called Enoteca on Court: "From what we heard the opening date will be around the 3rd week of May... The wine will be international, the food small plates, panini, cheeses and salumi and pizza from the wood-burning oven." ...Clinton Hill Blog notices that Epoca has closed, but some commenters say that a new seafood restaurant is set to open in the space in June... And, finally, TONY reports on the new Bushwick bar, Tandem (236 Troutman St between Knickerbocker and Wilson Aves), where beers are served in ceramic cups that the owner turned on a potter's wheel.
After the jump: Jacques Torres ice cream, Whiskey Sunday, Totonno's, Beer Table, a Williamsburg sandwich tour, and Dressler on the big screen...
April 21, 2009
Hard Times In Store for Coney Island?
As the future of Coney Island hangs in the balance, they city is talking about taking concrete steps to address one of the pieces it actually controls--the boardwalk. The city is toying around with three options to replace the tropical hard wood that has made up the boardwalk for the last 86years, reports The Post. And while it's considering both plastic and hardwood planks, word is that concrete is the odds-on favorite. "A full concrete boardwalk is the best way to go from a cost-benefit perspective," said Liam Kavanagh, the first deputy commissioner of the city's Parks Department. "It lasts 40 years with little maintenance -- about twice as long as wood." The idea isn't sitting well with some: "Why don't they just call it a sidewalk, if they're going to do it in concrete?" said Dennis Thomas of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club. "There'll be a huge loss of character." Others though buy the practicality argument. "I'd rather see anything than the boardwalk falling apart," said Anthony Berlingieri, who owns Beer Island and Shoot the Freak.
Poured Walk [NY Post]
Photo by ecallender
April 13, 2009
Cozy in Coney: Sitt and Recchia
After reading this weekend's story in The Times about the stand-off in Coney Island between Thor Equities, the major landowner in Coney Island, and the City, which is pushing ahead with a rezoning of the area and desperately wants the 10.5 acres that Thor controls, we're surprised there hasn't been a larger outcry about the overly-cozy relationship between Thor's founder Joe Sitt and City Councilman Donald Recchia, his close childhood friend who appears to have his back at every turn. "Mr. Recchia has gone to great lengths to support his friend, including involving himself in the negotiations over a land price," writes The Times. "At a time when the city is slashing its budget, Mr. Recchia has urged the city to pay more." Recchia also pushed for stipulations at the community board level that would allow for larger retail tenants than the city's plan calls for, a move designed to play to Thor's strength as a strip mall operator. Kinda unseemly, no?
City and a Developer Face Off Over Coney Island’s Future [NY Times]
Photo by Mark El–khatib
April 3, 2009
Coney's Potato Chip Amphitheater Revealed
The Architects Newspaper is out this week with some new renderings from Grimshaw Architects of the Coney Island Amphitheater slated for Asser Levy Park. The 8,000-seat theatre has been a priority for Brooklyn Borough President since he announced it in 2007. “Replacing Asser Levy’s antiquated band shell with a state-of-the-art one will ensure that free community programming—it was used for 45 different community events last year—remains in Coney Island,” the beep said through a spokesperson. “Moreover, it will be a key component of a revitalized Coney Island for the community and visitors in the days ahead.” The hallmark of the new theater's design is its "potato chip" roof. “It’s like a bicycle wheel with a massive steel rim and a ring at the middle for a hub,” said Grimshaw partner Mark Husser. The $47 million project is still on track to start construction after this summer's concert series ends.
Coney's New Big Top [Architect's Newspaper]
Coney Island's New Concert Venue [Curbed]
Community Concerns About Marty's Coney Concert Space [Brownstoner]
An Amphitheater for Coney Island? [Brownstoner]
April 2, 2009
City Makes Sitt an Offer He Can Refuse
The City has made its first formal offer to buy 10 acres of land along the boardwalk in Coney Island from Thor Equities'. The offered price of $105 million price is $12 million more than the developer paid for the plots but given that the developer has held portions of the land for as long as five years, we don't think Thor will share the Brooklyn Paper's assessment of the deal as a "nice payday" given carrying costs and sweat equity considerations. In fact, a lawyer for Thor responded by saying, "Our number is north of $130 million." Still, this could be viewed as progress. After all, it wasn't that long ago that Thor's number was $200 million.
City Makes New Offer for Coney Island Property [NYDN]
City Offers $105 Million to Coney Island Developer [NYT/City Room]
Sitt Consultants Attack City Offer of $105 M [Observer]
Joe $itt Poised to Cash in at Coney [Brooklyn Paper]
Photo by Capt_Nemo
March 31, 2009
Public Speaks Out on Coney Island at Borough Hall Hearing
150 people or so showed up last night for the public hearing about the proposed rezoning of Coney Island at Borough Hall. The Brooklyn Ink captured several members of the public on video, including Circus Sideshow founder Dick Zigun, who had this message for Thor Equities, the major private landholder in the area currently locked in a battle with the Bloomberg administration over the future of the area:
I believe in capitalism...You folks are entitled to make a profit but you should make your profit and go home and leave Coney Island and let the city in its wisdom do the right thing and create a mitzvah in Brooklyn.
In other Coney news, Thor has started to build something at one of its Stillwell Avenue sites near the boarwalk.
Coney Island Awakens from Winter Slumber [The Brooklyn Ink]
City Planning Interim Amusements for Coney Island [Brownstoner]
Recchia, CB13 in Thor's Pocket? [Brownstoner]
March 26, 2009
Closing Bell: Cyclone Roller Coaster Opening Day
You can still make the trip to Coney Island this summer and enjoy what it has to offer. Cyclone, the famous roller coaster, kicks off its 2009 season on April 5th and the first 100 people in line will be treated to a free ride. The opening day festivities begin at noon with Miss Cyclone and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz breaking a bottle of authentic Brooklyn chocolate egg cream against the coaster's lead car. After riding on the coaster, maybe stop by the beach or visit the aquarium (it's still there!).
Photo by wallyg.
March 25, 2009
Closing Bell: Miniature Sized Coney Island
Astroland may be gone but parts of Coney Island live on, at least in mini form. KINETIC CARNIVAL posted a link to a roundup of pictures of miniature sized Coney Island replicas. The models really mirror the details of the Wonder Wheel, Nathan's, and the Side Show. Even the Cyclone has (fake) mini people enjoying the ride.
March 20, 2009
City Planning Interim Amusements for Coney Island
Locked in a frustrating stalemate with Thor Equities, the city is trying to make the best of a bad situation by putting together an interim plan to create a temporary amusements area on the land it owns in "Coney East." “The city is fully committed to making sure that Coney Island is open, Coney Island is active and Coney East is full of amusement,” said Lynn Kelly, president of the Coney Island Development Corporation, referring to the area within the development zone slated for rides and attractions. The city's makeshift park would total about six acres, more than doubling the existing five acres of amusement that are still left. The city is currently interviewing operators and hopes to be able to open for business by the summer of 2010. On a related note, The Brooklyn Paper reports that Ringling Brothers plans to set up in Coney Island this summer, though neither circus execs nor city officials would confirm.
Plans Gel for Interim Coney Island Amusements [Crain's]
Ringling Brothers Coming to Coney: Sources [Brooklyn Paper]
Photo by Big Huge Labs
March 18, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
Greenpoint's New Beer Shop: Brouwerij Lane
Greenpoint Avenue between Franklin and West
The owners of this new brew shop tell Greenpointers that they're throwing a grand opening party this Saturday, March 21 from 1 to 8pm: "We will have delicious goulash, various wursts, and our 10 taps will be flowing with a selection of beers from around the world for tasting and taking home in our 64 oz growler jugs. We currently have over 150 types of bottled beer, and want to welcome our Greenpoint neighbors who are beer drinkers, beer lovers, or just want to come check the place out."
Armando's Returning to Brooklyn Heights
143 Montague Street, Brooklyn Heights; (718) 624-7167
"The restaurant's old phone number was reinstalled Thursday. And, in three months' time, Armando's will reopen on Montague St., said former and future owner Peter Byros. The Italian eatery closed last year, and the sandwich chain Spicy Pickle opened briefly in its place. 'They didn't make it; they defaulted on their lease,' said Byros, who also owns the building and retired last year... Byros is the third owner of the restaurant, which opened on the spot during the Great Depression. Maria Byros, Peter's daughter, will manage the new Armando's." [NY Daily News]
Recently Reviewed: Cornelius
565 Vanderbilt Avenue at Pacific Street, Prospect Heights; (718) 398-6662
"The spirit menu’s omission of descriptions can be maddening, but the informed bartenders will eagerly offer input or mix dead-on cocktails dreamed up by the Royalton Hotel’s mixologist, Somer Perez. Her red-tinted Long Island 'Railroad' Tea (rooibos tea, whiskey, bourbon, lemon juice and Grand Marnier) is a sweet, nutty punch with a citric tang. The apple-ginger margarita (tequila, apple chutney, ginger, orange zest) is a zippy, palate-tingling reviver, while the warming bourbon-and-bitters Steamboat is a maple-syrup-spiked riff on the Manhattan." [Time Out New York]
After the jump: Sandwiches in Williamsburg and Bed-Stuy, a revived wine bar, and a fire at Totonno's...
March 16, 2009
Recchia, CB13 in Thor's Pocket?
Sparks are flying in the wake of Community Board 13's approval of a slew of zoning recommendations (originally proposed by Councilman Recchia) that are favorable to developer Thor Equities; in fact, The Daily News reports that some of the recommendations match the developer's suggestions word-for-word. At least Thor is getting its money's worth: Thor-related entities have spent almost $200,000 on lobbying efforts since 2005. The City is pissed.
March 13, 2009
Coney Island Boardwalk: What Lies Beneath
Urban adventurer/photographer Nathan Kensinger, in a post dedicated to the late Bob Guskind of Gowanus Lounge, reveals the strange, and strangely beautiful, world that exists underneath the Coney Island boardwalk, from a small tent city to old building entrances. There are a bunch of photos to see, so check out the link.
Coney Island - Under the Boardwalk [Nathan Kensinger]
Ominous Beauty Reeks from Coney's Underbelly [Kinetic Carnival]
March 11, 2009
Local Officials Propose Big Changes to City's Coney Plan
A local politician with sympathies for Thor Equities and a poor grasp of English grammar is trying to throw a wrench into the City's plan for the revamp of Coney Island. Community Board 13 is supporting a recent plan proposed by City Councilman Domenic Recchia to increase the size of retail stores that would be allowed along Surf Avenue from 2,500 square feet to 10,000 square feet. Responding to critics' fears that the amusment area will end up looking like a suburban strip mall, Recchia said, "We don't want no Walmarts in Coney Island." Ouch! The retail boost is only one of about 20 changes that Recchia has put on the table; others include opposing the city's plan to reserve 12 acres of land for amusements, increasing parking at KeySpan Park and banning any new construction that would block the Parachute Jump. A Thor Equities spokesman called the proposals "the beginning of an attempt to make a bad plan better" and a Bloomberg flak described some of the changes, including the retail suggestion, "problematic." What a mess.
Local Officials Call for Major Revamp of Coney Island Plan [NY Daily News]
Photo by dietrich
March 4, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
Photo by Brewing the Perfect Beer
Sixpoint and Frankies to Partner Up?
Eater shares an "unsubstantiated and somewhat far fetched rumor" that "the Franks (of the Frankies Spuntinos and Prime Meats) are working in conjunction with Shane Welch of Sixpoint Craft Ales to open a cafe on Court Street and (yes and) a Frankies beer garden in the vicinity of—or perhaps even in—the current space of the Sixpoint Brewery." Eater also notes that neither Welch nor anyone at Frankies will confirm this rumor, "but it's something to watch out for. "
A Closer Look at Glass Shop
Last week, we reported on the new Crown Heights coffee house, Glass Shop. According to Grub Street, they're open and serving "Australian-style espressos ($2.50) and lattes ($3 for 8 oz.). No drip for now, but there’s also a selection of PG Tips teas and simple sandwiches (ham and egg, sardine) as well as egg specials in the morning... and in warmer weather there’ll be a 600-square-foot garden in the back." Has anybody been in yet?
Where to Wet Your Whistle
The bar at Prime Meats is officially open, and Time Out New York posted their "wallet-friendly" cocktail menu — but TONY also reviews the well-crafted cocktails at the less-hyped Jack the Horse Tavern in Brooklyn Heights: "the Robbie Robbie, a cockle-warming spin on the Scotch-based Rob Roy, which enlists Luxardo’s cinnamon-flavored bitter, Amaro Abano, to spicy effect. The Dos Amentes (tequila, mescal, Cherry Heering, dry vermouth, lime juice and cognac-almond syrup) is a rich tequila drink that allows the spirit’s aromatic, vegetal character to shine through."
After the jump: Eating out in Clinton Hill, CSA news, beloved butcher closes up shop in Coney Island, Dom DeMarco hits up the Pizza Hall of Fame, and the Brooklyn Inn adds more seating...
February 20, 2009
Coney Island Lager Doing Well Despite Great Depression
A ray of sunshine in a storm of depressing economic data: According to a press release, Shmaltz Brewing Company, makers of, among other things, HE'BREW Beer and Coney Island Lager, reported that its sale rose 80% in 2008 and predicts it will clear the $2 million sales mark in '09. Although it's a member of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Shmaltz actually makes its brews in Upstate New York.
February 17, 2009
Closing Bell: Last Chance for ImagineConey Submissions
The Municipal Art Society is fighting to save Coney Island. Tonight is the final ImagineConey program and your last chance to see presentations of submissions to the ImagineConey initiative by members of the public and design professionals. You can see the results of over 350 ideas submitted for the new Coney Island. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. at 457 Madison Avenue in Manhattan. The presentation is free but reservations are strongly recommended. Click here to RSVP or call 212-935-2075.
Latest Restaurant Additions
-
Carroll Gardens Classic Diner
added July 2, 2009 12:00 PM in Boerum Hill -
Tripoli
added July 1, 2009 12:00 PM in Cobble Hill -
Williamsburger
added June 30, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Brooklyn Bread Cafe
added June 29, 2009 12:00 PM in Carroll Gardens, Park Slope -
Naidre's
added June 26, 2009 12:00 PM in Carroll Gardens, Park Slope -
Amorina
added June 25, 2009 12:00 PM in Prospect Heights -
Caracas Arepa Bar: Brooklyn
added June 24, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Dawg Shack
added June 23, 2009 12:00 PM in Gowanus -
Mitchell's
added June 22, 2009 12:00 PM in Prospect Heights -
City Sub
added June 19, 2009 12:00 PM in Park Slope