Thursday, August 30, 2007

Selected Films For The Coney Island Film Festival Announced

The films for this year's Coney Island Film Festival have been announced.

Visit the Coney Island Film Festival website for further details.

Click here to view the list of selected films.


Reminder
7th Annual Coney Island Film Festival
September 28-30, 2007

at Sideshows By The Seashore and The Coney Island Museum
Coney Island



Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Calling The Troops To Save Coney Island

The Save Coney Island group is calling out to all Coney supporters to gather up and rally in support to keep saving Coney Island. Last spring the group held a successful rally at City Hall to cheer their support and love for Coney Island, now they hope to rally supporters to form a think tank to help save our beloved play land.

Save Coney Island group:
It's time to rally the troops to Save Coney Island!!Save Coney Island is assembling a group of active members to help us ensure that the true spirit of Coney Island is maintained within the current redevelopment of Coney Island. In the next few weeks we are going to have our very first Save Coney Island meeting to brainstorm ideas about how to defend our beloved Coney Island from the possible fate of becoming a land of generic luxury high-rise hotels, timeshares and condos, to ensure that the Amusement District remains an amusement park and an accessible form of
recreation and fun.We will be announcing more details about this meeting very shortly!! Please let us know if you are interested in becoming an active member of Save Coney Island. Please also indicate the ways in which you would like to become involved. thanks so much for your interest!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Now AOL Travel Taps Wonder Wheel Among Top 10 Ferris Wheels

First AOL Travel hit up on the top amusement parks to visit. Now they're tapping the top Ferris Wheels. Among them is none other than Coney Island's very own Wonder Wheel. The landmarked Wonder Wheel is one of Coney's anchored structures that will stay a main fixture in whatever new Coney arises from the zoning battle underway in Coney Island.

AOL Travel:

This weathered East Coast resort is Americanus nostalgicus at its most colorful and resilient. Deno's Wonder Wheel Park is a family-owned amusement area anchored by the historic 150-foot wheel. An official New York landmark since 1989, the Wonder Wheel is now celebrating its 85th birthday, and has been consistently operational the entire time.


America Online
Tavel also mentions the Sun Wheel at Disney's California Adventure Park in Anaheim California, stating that the smiling sun face at the wheel's center pays homage to the Coney Island Wonder Wheel. Unless there's something not very obvious there it would be difficult to see what exactly is the reference to Coney's Wonder Wheel or Coney for that matter. The smiling sun face is surely not Tillie the smiley face which is Coney's trademark. But what probably is the homage is the similar feature; The Sun Wheel like the Wonder Wheel has swinging gondolas.

Disney and many other theme parks, in many ways, were inspired by Coney Island.


Monday, August 27, 2007

Coney Island Film Festival Poster Released

Selected films for the 7th Annual Coney Island Film Festival will be announced August 28th. The festival will take place end of September.


7th Annual Coney Island Film Festival
September 28-30, 2007

at Sideshows By The Seashore
and The Coney Island Museum
Coney Island, New York



Friday, August 24, 2007

Hats Off To Coney Island USA For Making Home Permanent

Image by Mr. Cavin (Flickr.com)

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WHOLE TEAM AT THE CONEY ISLAND USA!

The Coney Island USA organization has officially acquired their home from the previous landlord which they have been leasing to for that past few years. Originally built as another Childs Restaurant in 1917, the 12,500 square foot structure which sits on W. 10th Street and Surf Avenue (not its original location) was purchased by the organization for $3.6 million (from $6 million kept in the funds from the Department of Cultural Affairs) with the help of the city. "We have never been so secure and permanent in the neighborhood. And that's totally thanks to the political leadership of New York City.", told Dick Zigun, CIUSA founder, to
New York Magazine for the Daily Intelligencer.

With more money at their disposal, the Coney Island USA organization is looking to buy another building to relocate the Coney Island Museum.

Zigun told the
Metro Newspaper that a 'mini' renovation will be taking place in which they intend to construct a café and new Surf Avenue entrance. They also plan to install heat and air conditioning and expand their theater from 100 to 200 seats. In addition they plan to restore the building to its original facade.

It will be good to see the US Army recruiting office get the boot as well as anything non-Coney. In fact Aaron Beebe, curator of the museum hopes to establish a small business incubator by leasing space out to "quirky, innovative, and creative" establishments, he said.

Thursday night the Coney Island USA team along with friends celebrated with a bash the purchase of the building. Now, it will be interesting to see what further plans they release as to the expansion and renovations.

Follow discussion on the
CIUSA board .

Coney Island Makes America Online's Top 10 Amusements Parks

American Online's Travel Section names Coney Island as on the the top ten amusement parks to visit.

AOL Travel:
This park is home to the world-famous Cyclone coaster and Wonder Wheel ferris wheel. But hurry -- while the Cyclone and Wonder Wheel will survive, this is the final season for the park that is home to many of the area's other rides, Astroland.


More 40's Coney Island Vintage Photos Found

Images by bucklesw1 (Flickr.com)


Posted on Flickr.com by bucklesw1 and found on the Coney Island USA bulletin board via
Rapid T. Rabbit who came across them, are more rare photos of Coney Island and various circus and show people.

Follow discussion on CIUSA board


Thursday, August 23, 2007

World's Largest LollyPop Arrives At Coney Island

In tribute to Philip's Candy, Coney's oldest candy shop which was housed at the entrance of the Stillwell station since 1930, a giant lollypop has been propped up as an art installation by Philomena Marano Artist & Designer.

The
artist's website describes Philips Candy:
Philip's was a visual paradise - it had a classic red & white striped facade, layered with vintage signage and windows filled with an endless parade of exotic sweet treats created by owner, John Dorman and his partner Peggy Cohn. They endured 54 years of Coney Island highs & lows serving loyal customer all year 'round until the time came to close up shop in 2001 and relocated due to the reconstruction of the Coney Island Terminal.

GIANT LOLLY sits inside one of the unoccupied store windows within the station. It joins the Stillwell Avenue Subway exhibit mounted by the Coney Island History Project.


Special thanks goes to Richard Eagan, The CIDC, and Charles Denson for making the installation possible.

Giant Lolly / Homage to Philip's
On view: Summer 2007

Art Installation; Stillwell Avenue
Coney Island Terminal, Brooklyn, New York.


Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Coney HOOPLA !

Will City Land Swap Make Coney Squabble Vanish? [by Neil deMause - Runnin' Scared - The Village Voice]
Coney Island USA to Buy Its Building, Thwarting Thor [Daily Intelligencer - New York Magazine]
City puts the screws to Sitt - Buyout could be in the making [Courier Life]
Astroland Rides Still Listed Online for Sale [The Gowanus Lounge]
Teen thrown from Polar Express [Courier Life]
Here’s the kind of ‘development’ everybody loves [Courier Life]
New Yorkers Need This Unreality Check [Real Clear Politics]
The Last Summer [New York Press]
Community Leader Announces Petition Drive To Save Astroland [Brooklyn Daily Eagle]
Under the boardwalk...Officials coo over prospect of using private funds for rehab [Courier Life]
Coney Island [Mona's Apple]
Circus Marketer Denies Anti-Coney Comments [The Gowanus Lounge]
Coney Island: Love it While You Can [The Indypendend]
Development proposed for Coney Island [Miami Herald]
More Thor Plywood in Coney Island? [The Gowanus Lounge]
Circus Says It Loved Coney Island. Really. Honest. [The Gowanus Lounge]
Thor Pulls Mermaid Parade Video for Tweaking [The Gowanus Lounge]
First Drop [Greenpointers]
Beloved Coney Island [Coolface]
Goodbye My Coney Island? [Smithsonian.com]
Check Out the Coney Parachute Jump's History [The Gowanus Lounge]
PR war in Coney [Going Coastal]
Coney Island End Of An Era [Escape From New York]
Coney Conundrum Continues [BrklynStories: Real Narratives]
Rock the Boardwalk [The Coney Island Reporter]
Coney Island Rockabilly Festival - Part 2 Bands on the Boardwalk [The Coney Island Reporter]
Coney Island Rockabilly Festival [The Coney Island Reporter]
Thor tangled in Web video flap [The Coney Island Reporter]
NEW PHOTOS & VIDEO: Daft Punk @ Keyspan Park [AOL Journals]


Images:
Coney Island Monday: Night Sceneage [The Gowanus Lounge]
Coney [Park Slope Street Photography by Lara Wechsler]
Duck Ladies at Coney Island's Mermaid Parade [A Duck a Day]
The Weekend Seaside: Coney Island [Brit in Brooklyn]
Coney Island [Photo by Dashiel Harster - JPG Magazine]
In the Heaven Above Heaven (Coney Island) [todaysphotograph]



Video:
Check Out See 'Ya Brooklyn, a Vid Set in Coney Island [YouTube - via The Gowanus Lounge]





Sunday, August 19, 2007

Joe Franklin To Record His Coney Memories At The History Project

Delving into the Coney Island of yesteryear, TV legend Joe Franklin takes us down Memory Lane as he tells and records his own Coney Island stories at the Coney Island History Project. Franklin who hosted his show for 40 years also had a open-air movie theater at Feltman's during the 1950's.

from the Coney Island History Project website:

Broadcast legend Joe Franklin will kick off an afternoon of "Coney Island Memories" on Sunday, Aug, 26 at noon when he sits before a camera to recall his lifelong experiences at the world-famous amusement zone for the video archives of the Coney Island History Project. He will be the first to participate in the recordings, which will continue until 3:00 pm. The public are invited and encouraged to record their memories. A second recording session, also open to the public, will take place the following weekend on Sunday, Sept. 2 from noon to 3:00 pm.

Photo from the Coney Island History Project



Joe Franklin At The Coney Island History Project
Sunday, August 26th
Noon to 3pm
at the Coney Island History Project
Under the Cyclone (Corner of Stillwell & W. 10th St)


Saturday, August 18, 2007

Coney Lager At The 2007 Coney Island Rockabilly Festival

Image by ryan.dowd (Flickr.com)

The Shmaltz Brewing Company launches their Coney Island Lager at various establishments throughout the city and Coney Island during the 2007 Coney Island Rockabilly Festival taking place on the boardwalk off Stillwell Avenue. The Rockabilly Festival is four days of Rockabilly, burlesque, surf and sideshow with over 80 Acts. Featuring free beer tastings plus more than 50 acts, including the legendary Bonnie Dunn, the Electric Sideshow, burlesque performers from all over the U.S., sideshow freaks and live surf and rockabilly bands.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle writes:

“Inspired by the spirit, the history and the future of the famed Brooklyn playground, we at Shmaltz Brewing are introducing the first act in our own new sideshow of spectacular craft beers in association with Coney Island USA,” said founder Jeremy Cowan, who will be at Cha Cha’s on the boardwalk this weekend, along with East Coast manager Matt Polacheck. “Indulge your inner beer freak and join us for a taste of Coney Island Lager at Cha Cha's.”

Coney Island Lager is also the official beer sponsor for the Rockabilly Festival. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the new Coney Island Lager will directly benefit Coney Island USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and expanding lost forms of American popular art and culture, leading the renaissance in Brooklyn’s historic Coney Island neighborhood. For additional information on the Rockabilly Festival, please call (718) 946-1305.



Friday through Sunday
Aug. 17-19
from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.

On the Boardwalk off Stillwell Avenue


New Coney Island Lager To Be Launched This Weekend at Bars, Restaurants, Stores [Brooklyn Daily Eagle]



Friday, August 17, 2007

Cole Bros Circus Now Says Coney Run Was Successful

In an e-mail to Kinetic Carnival, Renee Storey, Vice President-Administration at Cole Bros. Circus, explains that despite some problems with parking most patrons arrived to see the circus by public transportation and therefore the circus's run in Coney Island was a success.

Renee Storey writes:
Cole Bros. Circus enjoyed a successful engagement in Coney Island, and looks forward to returning next year. In addition to its schedule of advertised shows, Cole Bros. Circus presented sold-out morning and early afternoon performances for children who attend religious camps. Attendance grew each day of the Cole Bros. Circus week-long stay, culminating in packed houses Thursday through Sunday, especially at its 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. shows. A majority of circus patrons used public transportation to visit the circus, evidenced by the waves of customers who lined up at the circus ticket office shortly after their trains arrived at the conveniently located Stillwell Ave. station. A few customers who attended the 8:00 p.m. show on Friday said they had difficulty finding a place to park, likely due to the huge crowds who arrive on Coney Island early in anticipation of the Friday night fireworks.

The circus is grateful to Deno’s for delaying the start of the fireworks, so that our patrons would have opportunity to exit the Big Top in time to view the wonderful display that really rocks the beach. Our circus families, especially the children, loved the fireworks, the amusements, the shore and the ocean, which was not only warm, but crystal clear. Staying at Coney Island was a treat for everyone on our show. The only complaint heard among our staff was with respect to weight gain. Living in proximity to numerous, great restaurants for a week, we indulged.

Manning the 1-800 circus info line, circus staff in Florida was surprised by the number of callers who asked for directions to the circus location in Coney Island. Our customer service representatives explained that the circus was located on Stillwell Avenue, between West 12th Street and Bowery, opposite Nathan’s. Numerous callers asked, “Where’s Nathan’s?” That surprised us, and made us think that, perhaps the circus attracted people who might not have visited Coney Island in the past.

Our experience assures us that Coney Island is a wonderful place. Judging by our crowds later in the week and the throngs of parents and kids on the boardwalk each evening, we learned that people seeking family entertainment will flock to Coney Island.

Renee
Storey
Vice President-Administration
Cole Bros. Circus
In addition, Mr Chuck Werner, Senior Marketing Director for the Cole Bros. Circus also told KC that a large number of patrons had called to refund their tickets due to the inability to find parking. But, regardless, as Storey points out, most of the day performances were packed, especially towards the end of the circus's run.

As already mentioned here in KC, Mr. Werner only made a few comments on a lower attendance during the evening shifts probably due to parking and perhaps also due to the general preception of the immediate area from those not used to coming at night to Coney Island. Mr. Werner did not mention anything about crime or gun shootings to KC.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Charles Denson: Coney's Connoisseur and Celeb Defends His Turf

In an editorial written by Charles Denson for the New York Daily News, Mr. Denson stresses the importance of protecting Coney Island's amusement zone. He insists the city should not kowtow to a developer who will go to the extent of "darkening" Coney Island in hopes of having the next administration buckle under their demands.
Mr. Denson writes:
The latest land grab is being orchestrated by a developer who seeks to change Coney Island's unique amusement zoning. Most people agree that Coney needs improvement, but they also realize that a scenario that includes just one owner and a rezoning that allows high-rise residential development is a dangerous combination that could lead to the death of Coney Island.

Coney Island has seen vast improvement over the past decade. Crime is down, a new subway terminal and ballpark opened, and the Bloomberg administration saved the historic B&B Carousel.

Coney Island is the most culturally diverse neighborhood in New York and still serves as the people's playground, a place for people of small means to enjoy the beach and the Boardwalk. Coney has a rich history and heritage that must be preserved for future generations.

Mr. Denson is one of the most knowledgeable and outspoken of personalities in Coney's current story. He is author of two wonderfully vivid and fact-filled books on Coney Island; "Coney Island: Lost & Found" and "Wild Ride: A Coney Island Roller Coaster Family" (read KC's review here). He is also the director of the Coney Island History Project.


Coney's roller-coaster ride Surf's a sought-after turf, so mayor must save this paradise. by Charles Denson [NY Daily News]

Along for the Ride
by Brian Childs of the
Coney Island Reporter blog for [The Brooklyn Rail]




Tuesday, August 14, 2007

A New Petition Attempts To Save Astroland


Though Astroland will mostly likely stay only in the Coney history books, a new petition attempts to protect New York's oldest and 'largest' amusement park. Community activist Brian Gotlieb who started the petition happens to be one of a handful of activists eyeing the current council member seat occupied by Domenic Recchia.

Recchia who also attempted to save Astroland, for at least another season, has so far failed to gain any progress with Thor Equities to have them lease their property to Astroland for 2008.

Unlike the last petition to Save Coney Island which was directed to City planner Amanda Burden, this petition does not have a list of those who signed along with comments. However, it is an online petition as well as a paper one.



Help save Coney Island's Astroland Park! PETITION

Follow the discussion on: The CIUSA board


Monday, August 13, 2007

Inflatable Movie Madness Screens At Coney

Thor's Free Monday Movie Madness screens the 1980's "Goonies" on an inflatable screen which many times swayed and tilted in the breeze. Even though the weather was perfect for sitting outdoors, the night's screening drew only a small crowd - perhaps due to the screening choice. A larger crowd may be expected for the "Harry Potter, Goblet of Fire" showing next Monday.

Projection screen nearly collapses in light breeze.


The remaining Monday screenings are:
8/20 "Harry Potter, Goblet of Fire"
8/27 "E.T."
9/3 "Dreamgirls"

9/10 "Jaws"


Friday, August 10, 2007

Coney HOOPLA !

Image by TixGirl (Flickr.com)
At last nights
Daft Punk Concert held at the Keyspan Park Stadium



B'klyn Big Top [NY Post]
It’s Coney Island turmoil, USA [Courier Life]
Coney Island Pirateblogging [Multi Medium]
City Considers a Little Tivoli for Coney Island [Gothamist]
Your pathway to the shore - New mats revamp Coney Island beach experience [Courier Life]
Coney Island Monday Fun: 'Anarchy' & Tivoli Gardens [Curbed]
Danish Amusement Park at Coney Island? [mcbrooklyn]
Clown Alert: Circus Now Playing in Coney Island [The Gowanus Lounge]
Officials Travel to Look at Models for Coney Redevelopment [The Gowanus Lounge]
Cole Brothers Circus Lame, Mostly Empty [The Coney Island Reporter]
Coney Island - Labratory For The Mass Culture [SoHo Journal]
$40M 'Field' Day - Brooklyn Park Hits Jackpot [New York Post]
Thor's Coney Island Plan 'Dead in the Water,' Official Says [Curbed]
Elephants Take Over Coney Island As Cole Bros. Circus Comes To Town [NY1]
Trading Spaces: KeySpan Parking Lot for Thor's Coney Land? [Curbed]
Rockability Fest In Coney Island [OTBKB]
Schedule of Performers for the Coney Island Rockability Fest [OTBKB]
AIA Top Ten Green Projects: Coney Island’s Stillwell Avenue Subway Terminal Train Shed [greenbuildingsNYC]
Coney Island (Structure) [todaysphotograph]
Corny Coney Island [Anguilla-Beaches.com]
Coney Island New York [Good and Random Articles]
Thor's $1.5B Coney Island Plan "Dead in the Water"? [Gothamist]
A Newark Murder Mystery; a Brooklyn Pizza Battle; Coney Island’s Future; and More [NY Times - City Room]
Official: Thor’s $1.5 Billion Coney Plan 'Dead' [Brownstoner]
Shake That Cosmic Thing [BrklynStories]
Coney Island and Balloon Peace Signs [WHBC Mission Trip Team Blog]


Images:
Flickr.com set of Daft Punk concert at Keyspan Park Stadium [Flickr]


Videos:
YouTube Set of Daft Punk at Keyspan Park Stadium, Coney Island [YouTube]


Coney Openings: Be A Star By The Shore At New Karaoke Lounge

Late last night sign installers were hooking up a new canopy sign for a new lounge opening up soon at the new building at 1205 Surf Avenue directly across from the Coney Island Museum and Sideshow. What will seem to be a bar and lounge Stars By The Shore will be showcasing Karaoke. The sign sat on the floor before being installed above the store's entrance. Also posted, on the closed gate, is a help wanted sign which reads:
3 waitress positions available. Must be friendly & outgoing. Call (646) 525-6634 or (718) 404-4462 or see us around the corner on the 3rd floor at 1205 Surf Avenue.
Hopefully this is the beginning of many new places springing up at Coney Island. The Coney Island Surf & Turf Restaurant has been bustling with business for the most part since it opened. And it comes highly recommended by reviews in the New York Magazine.

Let's hope some more entertainment venues start up as well.


Thursday, August 09, 2007

Thor Goes YouTubin?

Through direct sources from Thor Equities comes this pro-Thor video made from someone perhaps affiliated with Thor Equities. So far two are up: the free Monday Movie Madness promo and this one - a nicely made tribute to this years Mermaid Parade.

Videos posted on
Youtube by thorothunder.


Coney Island's Mermaid Parade

Movie Madness Promo Presented By Thor Equities




Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Astroland Rides Come Off The Market...For Now!

According to a Bloomberg.com article, Carol Albert, owner and operator of Astroland has pulled about 20 rides off the market. Recently Domenic Recchia had worked out a plan with Thor Equities to have Astroland stay in operation for one more season. But Albert later said that Thor has not communicated with them about any such plans.

Bloomberg.com reports:

Carol Hill Albert, whose family has operated Astroland since her late father-in-law, Dewey Albert, opened the park in 1962, said she still hopes to find a way to keep Astroland alive at some nearby location.

"I have been optimistic before, and things have not worked out,'' Albert said. "I guess I would say I'm an optimistic person.''

After listing 21 of Astroland's rides for sale earlier this year for about $2.4 million, she asked the dealer to pull all but the Top Spin 2.

"The seller has decided that they can't sell at this time because everything is too up in the air,'' said Tammy Nazarete, office manager at Somerville, New Jersey-based Rides-4-U Inc.

Sitt's proposed development isn't a done deal.

There must be some sort of talks not yet in the open between Thor and Albert. Yet this is no cause for celebration for those who want Astroland to stay for good, since this could simply be for an extention of just another season in '08.


Coney Island, Like Hot Dog Champ at Goldman, Moves On [Bloomberg.com]

Follow the discussion on the
CIUSA board



Lonely Beach Chairs At Thor Water Slide

Desperate for attention, the beach chair and water slide prices keep slumping faster than a semi wet drop down the Hippo's hide. The plastic chairs are begging to be rented. "Take me to the beach" they seem to proclaim. The prices dropped from $25 a rental to $10 all day. You can take a chair or umbrella (not both) to the beach with a deposit.



The Hippo water slide prices were dropped as well. 1 Ride is now only $2 dollars. 6 rides $10 dollars, and a total of 2 hours unlimited time on the slide is $15.





Perhaps Thor Equities should have made it a bit more interesting by not bringing in the Hippo water slide and instead; the inflatable Thor water slide as suggested by Switchback on the Coney Island USA bulletin board.







Thor Rolls Out The Blue Carpet To Match The Walls

This past Monday's Movie Madness night seems to have gone unnoticed or possibly canceled. No word on the screening of the "Nutty Professor". It was probably canceled due to the heavy fog last night. Today the blue carpet was rolled out and the Thor Equities field office trailer was moved closer to the water slide.

The 'bring your own seating' has been changed to 400 chair rentals by Thor Equities because otherwise they would not have been allowed to hold the public event without certain requirement, said a construction worker on the premises.

Next week Monday Night Movie Madness will present the "Goonies"


Tuesday, August 07, 2007

New Blog On The Cyclones: The Tornadic Activity

The Brooklyn Cyclones juggling unicycling peanut vendor Kyle Petersen started a blog this past June called Tornadic Activity: A Cyclones Blog, which covers the Mets farm team minor league Brooklyn Cyclones with information and data on the team as well as videos of the Cyclones and his self proclaimed burgeoning juggling career.

In his blog you can find this nice video, below, on a busy Brooklyn Cyclones opening day and the people who work there. An also take a look at some of his juggling at the games in the second video.

You can watch them here, but it's probably better to click over to his Tornadic Activity Cyclone's blog and view them there.


Kyle's jugging videos can be found on his YouTube page: Eljuglar31

Brooklyn Cyclones Opening Day Experience




Clownin' around at Coney!



Monday, August 06, 2007

Coney Circus Attendance Lower Than Had Hoped

The Cole Brothers Circus has brought down their tent and moved on and out of Coney Island. Not since 1938 has the Cole Bros. Circus performed here. But this past week the attendance at the circus didn’t turn out as hoped. The day performances seemed to have drawn a nice crowd but the evening performances were pretty much of low attendance. A few of the main factors that contributed to the very small evening crowds were most likely the parking problems in Coney Island as well as the negative reputation Coney has for its night hours in regards to families.

In a discussion with Kinetic Carnival, the amiable Chuck Werner, Senior Marketing Director for the Cole Bros. Circus, felt that most folks wouldn’t want to be out with their children too late on the streets of Coney. He also felt that the terrible parking problem in Coney attributed to the lower-than-expected attendance in general. Parking lot owners were charging high prices.

Chuck Werner also mentioned that Thor Equities was interested in having the Cole Bros. Circus back in Coney Island as soon as this coming October. But Mr. Werner said that is not yet definite as their scheduled shows may or may not allow the appropriate time for an encore presentation here in Coney Island this year.

However, if they will be expected to return, you'll read about it here.


Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Danish Amusement Park Looks To Build in Coney Island

Tivoli Gardens of Copenhagen Denmark have expressed interest in building a theme park in Coney Island which could marvel plans for the amusement area released by Thor Equities. The Tivoli Gardens have been in operation for over 164 years and plan to aid Coney Island in maintaining their spirit and enabling it to become a year-round destination.

The New York Post reported:

"We [Tavoli Gardens] aren't trying to create Disneyland in Coney Island, but we're trying to create a demand-oriented model that maintains the neighborhood's character and economic interests," said Robert Lieber, president of the city's Economic....

Lieber and other officials also spent time in the Netherlands last week visiting with officials from the successful Port of Amsterdam to help EDC come up with a master plan for improving industrial maritime business at piers in Red Hook, Brooklyn and other parts of the Big Apple....

With the city planning to rezone Coney Island's amusement district this year to help future development, Lieber said he's still not satisfied with developer Joe Sitt's proposal to build a $1.5 billion hotel-entertainment complex in the heart of the amusement district.

Lieber pointed out that Tivoli is successful year-round without the on-site condos, time-shares or hotels that Sitt has pushed for, despite Denmark's cold winters and the park's many outdoor rides and attractions.

With Sitt controlling 10 acres of prime boardwalk real estate, both he and City Hall will have to reach a compromise or risk Coney Island remaining stagnant.

The city could theoretically try taking Sitt's land through eminent domain, but Lieber said he's "not ready to go there" when asked about condemnation.