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
Biff – If I had grown up going to Coney Island, I would probably harbor some nostalgic affection for it. But coming to it as an adult, as an outsider, I don’t get it.
> “what’s your point?”
Coming from you, that’s comedy gold.
quote:
It’s just a sad, dilapidated dump.
so is brooklyn heights. what’s your point?
*rob*
Neither one is maintenance free (no matter what the city says, particular in a salty marine environment). If we’re really talking life spans of 40 vs. 20 years, why not stay with wood? There is something to be said for the character of a BOARDwalk that differs from that, say, of a jetty. (OTOH, a concrete boardwalk would make for some excellent skateboarding.)
Snark, precisely. When I have family and friends visit and they tell me they want to go to Coney Island, I shoot them a look of bewilderment. I guess they have a far different vision of what it is these days based on what they might have heard and seen on TV and in the movies. Sad is an appropriate word for it.
Yep — lame…just as lame as the Parks Department’s enlightened treatment of the Red Hook vendors. Trex or a substitute could be promoted as a “green” initiative. All bottom line all the time makes the City a dull boy. *sigh*
> “Not much there but a trash strewn alley and a sign.”
Sums up all of Coney Island in my mind. Sorry, but I don’t get the appeal. It’s just a sad, dilapidated dump.
I didn’t know “Shoot the Freak” could be owned. Not much there but a trash strewn alley and a sign.
I think this has already been discussed – but this is a perfect WPA (or whatever it is called today) project
between repairing the old wood, cutting new wood and the installation we can employ hundreds and teach them new (carpentry) skills as well.