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….
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
Snark and Biff;
I’m glad to hear someone finally speak the truth about CI on this site. The way it is discussed, you’d think that Thorr was wrecking the premier resort area in the country.
It has been this way since the mid 1960’s, when the last great amusement park, Steeplechase, closed.
One thing I don’t get about CI also is the shortsightedness of the local merchants. You go there on a summer day, and the litter cans are overflowing with garbage. What does it take to organize an extra collection?
As far as I’m concerned, I’d be happy to have Thorr redevelop CI. I don’t know why the city and the blogs are fighting him on it.
I don’t think the mermaid parade would fit in anywhere else than CI. Perfect with the burlesque shows and side show vibe not to mention the acquarium. Though it’s too crowded lately with a lot of “walk” rage. And it’s too bad it’s not so easy to get tickets to see the cyclones, watching baseball there is magical at dusk.
Pull up the existing boardwalk and recycle it into furniture, art, or simply pieces of nostalgia.
Use the proceeds to subsidise a new wooden boardwalk. Rinse and repeat after 50 years. Job done.
Rob, what is your opinion of the aquarium then?
The Coney Island paintings and drawings of Reginald Marsh come to mind:
– http://www.areaofdesign.com/americanicons/marsh/sideshow.jpg
– http://www.areaofdesign.com/americanicons/marsh/fourgirls.jpg
– http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/2781645539_81bcba64eb.jpg?v=0
– http://americanart.si.edu/images/1985/1985.30.38V_1a.jpg
yeah you people are nuts. coconuts! coney island is fun as hell. i was just there this last summer and it was SO much fun. much more fun than stick in the mud boring museums and the opera and generic wine bars.
*rob*
DeLepp, I’ve been on the Cyclone (one of the first things I did when I came to New York), but haven’t seen the mermaid parade. But the parade can be anywhere; that’s not really a part of Coney Island to me any more than one would say the Israeli Day Parade is a part of 5th Avenue.
The only (permanent) thing worth seeing at Coney Island is the Acquarium.
there are wood substitutes that will last as long as concrete but look better…
Sounds like some of you need to get to Coney Island for the Mermaid parade and a ride on the cyclone.
“> “what’s your point?”
Coming from you, that’s comedy gold.”
That is what I call one brilliant Snark attack.
Snark, I can understand the nostalgia, especially having been through the museum there and seen the old pictures of how it used to be. But I would imagine it is even sadder to those who grew up going there. To you and me, it’s always been a dump, so it is harder to feel a sense of loss as strong as those who experienced it in its heyday.