Thor Backs Away from Coney Condo Plan
After months of criticism from city officials and community members, Joseph Sitt of Thor Equities submitted a plan that replaces the controversial 40-story condominium tower and hundreds of other rental apartments along the Coney Island boardwalk with a lower-scale mix of hotels and timeshares. Does it represent enough of a change to satisfy critics or…
After months of criticism from city officials and community members, Joseph Sitt of Thor Equities submitted a plan that replaces the controversial 40-story condominium tower and hundreds of other rental apartments along the Coney Island boardwalk with a lower-scale mix of hotels and timeshares. Does it represent enough of a change to satisfy critics or is the plan just wolf dressed up as a sheep, as Robert Lieber, president of the city’s Economic Development Corporation, called it? It’s an important question for Thor, which needs the city on board to complete a rezoning and to cough up financing on the order of $100 million. The key to any plan for the area is finding a way to make Coney Island a year-round destination. Unfortunately, it’s hard to see how to accomplish that while maintaining the old-school vibe for which so many New Yorkers feel nostalgia. If you’re already going to turn it into Disney World, what’s the big deal is about having some condos in the mix?
Coney Island Plan Is Scaled Back [NY Times]
Condos Nixed from Coney Revamp Plan [NY Post]
Coney Developer Drops Condo Plan [NY Sun]
the only ones complaining are those who may lose their views
@ putnam-denizen: Also, the argument isn’t that low-rise is contextual. The argument that mid-rise is contextual. If you think the buildings that are around now are high, you should look at the links I posted yesterday to see how high the suckers he wanted to build are.
@ putnam-denizen: Yes, Astroland is still open. No, it won’t be after this year.
@ jeremy: Coney Island is also the home of the still new Keyspan Park, the landmarked parachute jump, the landmarked Cyclone roller coaster, the iconic Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, the Fourth of July hotdog eating contest, the Mermaid Parade (and last night I just met two people who traveled to New York from Wisconsin just to see the Parade), the New York Aquarium, and a beach that although has some scary exposures of flesh, is still free, right off a subway stop, and accessible to most of Brooklyn. Other than those things, though, I’m sure there’s nothing to be concerned about from a contextual standpoint.
@ Dhg: Cut down on the meth. Seriously.
CONEY ISLAND IS A CRIME RIDDEN GHETTO…BUILD CONDOS AND HOPEFULLY THE POOR PEOPLE WILL LEAVE….GO SITT!!
When I spend a day in Coney Island it’s a unique experience. It’s funky because it’s run down. I liked the old Time Square for the same reason. Did I spend money there ? No. Did I go down to those places more than once a year? No. I would like to see Coney Island be revamped however it would be sad to see it be turned in to a mall like Time Square is now.
Contextual? CI is empty lots, a few rides, some scary carnie shacks, and the projects. Build a mile-high tower — anything is an improvement. Except for more projects, of course.
Don’t know if anyone thought of this, but here goes:
• The Astrotower converted into a rotating, Russian, bi-level vodka bar (“On a clear day, you can see Sebastopol”)
• Selling Cyclone ride time shares
• All public bathrooms equipped with Joseph Sittz Baths ™
• Allow housing project residents to rent their apartments as hotel rooms for the budget conscience
• Hold annual Le Nathan’s foi gras eating contest
Don’t know if anyone thought of this, but here goes:
• The Astrotower converted into a rotating, Russian, bi-level vodka bar (“On a clear day, you can see Sebastopol”)
• Selling Cyclone ride time shares
• All public bathrooms equipped with Joseph Sittz Baths ™
• Allow housing project residents to rent their apartments as hotel rooms for the budget conscience
• Hold annual Le Nathan’s foi gras eating contest
Don’t know if anyone thought of this, but here goes:
• The Astrotower converted into a rotating, Russian, bi-level vodka bar (“On a clear day, you can see Sebastopol”)
• Selling Cyclone ride time shares
• All public bathrooms equipped with Joseph Sittz Baths ™
• Allow housing project residents to rent their apartments as hotel rooms for the budget conscience
• Hold annual Le Nathan’s foi gras eating contest