The Ongoing Amphitheater Battle
Today the Times checks in on the plans to build an amphitheater in Coney Island as part of a complete revamp of Asser Levy Park, a project that has been opposed by many in its community. Opponents have gathered 12,000 signatures against the project, saying it should be in a commercial district and that it…
Today the Times checks in on the plans to build an amphitheater in Coney Island as part of a complete revamp of Asser Levy Park, a project that has been opposed by many in its community. Opponents have gathered 12,000 signatures against the project, saying it should be in a commercial district and that it will bring all manner of disturbance to what is now a peaceful haven. In addition, a nearby synagogue “may have found a weapon in the city’s administrative code. A provision bans the use of amplified sound within 500 feet of a school or church during hours of classroom work or worship, and Mr. Turk said his synagogue would seek to have it enforced during the Sabbath, Friday night and Saturday.” The park’s redesign is a pet project of Marty Markowitz, who says that its critics “don’t want anything that attracts anyone who doesn’t live a block away…I’m not going to allow folks who have such narrow vision to stop the future.”
Clash Over Plans for a Brooklyn Park [NY Times]
Another Snag for Marty’s Amphitheatre [Brownstoner]
Coney Arena Opponents Now Dwelling on Sound [Brownstoner]
Coney’s Potato Chip Amphitheater Revealed [Brownstoner]
Community Concerns About Marty’s Coney Concert Space [Brownstoner]
I grew up in Brighton Beach, lived on Ocean Parkway and spent many days playing in this park. And this amphitheater is a 1000% obscene and horrible idea.
First, you see that rendering? Folks, based on that design he wants an amphitheater that engulfs THE WHOLE PARK! There’s nothing wrong with attracting folks, but holy crap. What about the rest of the days, weeks, months when Marty isn’t hosting his personal pet project shows.
Also, the damn park as HORRIBLE drainage problems in it’s main lawn. When it rains, there are mini lakes. No problem, but they have NEVER been able to solve that issue no matter what.
Not to mention, where will the crowds park? And where will they go past this amphitheater?
This is just pork barrel nonsense coming from Mr. Markowitz. Just cleanup and update the park a tad. But a wholesale reworking? Don’t be a chazza, Marty.
Also, what exactly is wrong about a community having a nice, modest sized park they can enjoy? Why is it that every $@%! new development project in this city is based on attracting this mysterious “other people” but show no basic respect to the people who live there.
If he wants an amphitheater, build it in Coney Island. Do it next to Keyspan. Or maybe even Sheepshead Bay. But not here.
the city loses millions to Jones Beach for summer concerts that should be in Coney Island.
It’s coney island. I dont think anyone has the right to complain that they werent aware it was an area that might draw crowds in the summertime.
I was at the Pat Benetar/ Blondie concert at Asser Levy, I never made it till Blondie, bigger isn’t always better Marty,(see Atlantic Yards). That money, 50 million, could be better spent. Haven’t we had enough of Marty?
People expressed the same knee jerk fears about Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago, but anyone who’s visited Millennium Park knows it’s a fantastic public space used year-round by both tourists and locals. In fact, it has spurned much residential development around the park. Also, we’re always complaining that City doesn’t support the arts or great architecture. Here’s a prime example of the city doing both with much aplomb.
People expressed the same knee jerk fears about Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago, but anyone who’s visited Millennium Park knows it’s a fantastic public space used year-round by both tourists and locals. In fact, it has spurned much residential development around the park. Also, we’re always complaining that City doesn’t support the arts or great architecture. Here’s a prime example of the city doing both with much aplomb.
People expressed the same knee jerk fears about Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago, but anyone who’s visited Millennium Park knows it’s a fantastic public space used year-round by both tourists and locals. In fact, it has spurned much residential development around the park. Also, we’re always complaining that City doesn’t support the arts or great architecture. Here’s a prime example of the city doing both with much aplomb.
An amphitheater in a public park gets used maybe a dozen days a year. The rest of the time they are dead concrete wastelands. They are a magnet for all sorts of bad behavior, vagrants, etc. I say leave the park alone so it can benifit the community as green space every day of the year.
It will be interesting to see how the court interprets a suit based on Section 10-108 of the Administrative Code (if tek’ has identified the right language). This section generally applies to situations where applicants need to apply to the police department for a sound permit (e.g.: a band or a DJ at a street fair). If the proposed amphitheater gets the proper Certificate of Occupancy and public assembly designation, would this section of the code apply? Occupants of buildings are still responsible for “fugitive noise” but this may be a tenuous argument.
What always has me scratching my head is why the citizens of Brooklyn aren’t more upset over how much Markowitz is spending, out of his limited capital budget, to build an amphitheater that he will probably use himself. Your tax dollars at work.
Yeah Brenda, my first Fourth of July living across the street from Prospect Park was surprising even for me, and I grew up just 3 blocks from Marine Park.