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Sun may set on historic Coney Island

By Ryan Chatelain, amNewYork Associate Editor | ryan.chatelain@am-ny.com

May 29, 2007

Tom Sumrall's parents first started taking him to enjoy the rides, sun and sand of Coney Island as a child 38 years ago. Today, he brings his own 3 1/2 year-old son there several times each year.

"I think it's just one of the last historical sites, as far as Brooklyn is concerned, where you can come out with the family," said Sumrall, 41, who lives in West Hempstead. "It's an inexpensive day. The beaches are free. It's just an enjoyable day."

But Sumrall, like many New Yorkers, is concerned that Coney Island, which hosted its first carousel in 1876, will soon be stripped of its sense of history as a developer attempts to move forward with a $2 billion project that would drastically alter the face of the peninsula's amusement district.

Astroland Amusement Park, celebrating its 45th year in business, will close or relocate after this season. It was sold by the Albert family in November to developer Thor Equities, which plans to turn 10 acres between West 15th and West 10th streets into a year-round destination featuring a new amusement park, water theme park, hotels, condos, time-share units, a movie theater, a bowling alley, restaurants, nightclubs and retail shops.

The development, which could open as soon as 2011, would come close to matching Mayor Michael Bloomberg's vision for the future of Coney Island, which was announced in 2005 and centers around expanded amusements.

But there is one major snag: The city does not look favorably upon Thor's plan to add 800 to 900 luxury condos, perhaps setting the stage for a rezoning battle.

"We have yet to see an example of where residential immediately adjacent to loud, bright, noisy, late-night uses works," said Rachaele Raynoff, spokeswoman for the Department of City Planning.

Thor says it needs the revenue from condos to help offset the $250 million it plans to spend on 21 new rides for its proposed amusement park. As for noise and bright lights, Thor spokesman Lee Silberstein cites the soaring demand for real estate in and around Times Square as an example for how such perceived inconveniences can coexist with housing.

The city is expected this summer to introduce its proposal for rezoning in the neighborhood's amusement district. Such changes would allow, for example, for restaurants, nightclubs and retail shops.

The city does consider residential development to be a key component in revitalizing Coney Island, just not in as close proximity to an amusement park in the manner Thor has planned.

Meanwhile, there has been no shortage of nightmarish scenarios floated by residents.

If Thor president and chief executive Joseph Sitt succeeds in his bid to have the property rezoned for residential use, some fear he might then sell the property at a substantial profit to a new developer who might have different ideas for the land.

Five years ago, Thor purchased the Albee Square Mall in Brooklyn for $24 million and talked about giving the site a makeover, only to sell it for $125 million after the property was rezoned to allow for a larger development.

And if the Coney Island amusement district is not rezoned for condos, some residents are concerned Thor might squat on the land to force the city's hand or wait until a new mayor is in office who might be more open to Sitt's ideas.

"I think it would be unfortunate if any of Coney Island lays dormant," said Lynn Kelly, president of the city-formed Coney Island Development Corp.

"That's not what this redevelopment is about. But actually, we would encourage Thor to work with us to come up with the right solution for being able to achieve a better or more improved amusement district."