A LETTER FROM CIDC PRESIDENT LYNN KELLY
The Astroland Rocket
January 29, 2009
Dear Friends and Residents of Coney Island:
One of the key goals of the Coney Island Development Corporation has been to facilitate the revitalization and redevelopment of Coney Island while at the same time respecting and maintaining the incredibly important history and character of this unique place. Within this context, I am extremely pleased to share some good news about the future of one of Coney Island’s true icons, the Astroland Rocket.
City officials joined with Astroland owner Carol Albert yesterday to announce that the Astroland Rocket will be saved by the City. The Rocket, which was donated by Ms. Albert and will be stored and preserved by the City, will ultimately return to its historic home as the centerpiece of a new, revitalized amusement and entertainment district outlined in the City’s comprehensive plan for Coney Island. As noted in the Daily News: “The rocket follows in the path of the B&B Carousell, another historic Coney mainstay salvaged by city officials in a bid to preserve some of the area's past. ‘I look forward to seeing [the rocket], once again, join the Parachute Jump, Cyclone, Wonder Wheel and B&B Carousell to create one of the most exciting skylines in the world,’ said Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert Lieber.”
This is especially exciting news as we begin to move forward with the City’s comprehensive rezoning and redevelopment plan – which, as you know, was recently certified into ULURP, the City’s land use review process – and continue to work toward a renewed Coney Island. We will be back in touch soon with updates on the ULURP process, but as always, please do not hesitate to contact us at 212-312-4233 if we can be of any assistance.
Sincerely,
Lynn Kelly
President
