Outdoor Amusement Park Will Be Expanded to 12.5 Acres within
a New 27-Acre Amusement and Entertainment District
City Will Release a Request for Proposals for a Private Sector
Amusement and Entertainment Operator Tomorrow
New York City, November 11, 2009
"Today’s announcement is an important milestone in the redevelopment of Coney Island," said Congressman Nadler. "With the announcement of the City’s agreement with Thor Equities and the issuance of a RFP for an amusement area operator, Coney Island has finally turned the corner and its long awaited redevelopment can finally begin. I thank the Mayor and Councilman Recchia for their leadership and join them as we once again make Coney Island into America’s quintessential people’s playground.'
“Coney Island is bigger than all of us – it was here before we were ever thought of, and with our strong commitment it will be thriving long after we’re gone,” said Borough President Markowitz. “Mayor Bloomberg has been a real friend to Coney Island, and I commend his commitment to creating the year-round, affordable Coney Island of the 21st century. It’s not about profits, it’s about families. I also commend Joe Sitt, who I know has Coney’s best interests at heart. Now, we are truly ready to enter a new heyday, guarantee the awe-inspiring ‘bling’ of what was once called an ‘Electric Eden,’ ensure local residents benefit from new jobs, housing and resources, and make Coney island once again the amusement epicenter of America – for this century and beyond.”
“This is a major step toward fulfilling the promise we made to Coney Island when we passed our rezoning plan over the summer," said Council Member Recchia. “With the acquisition of this land, we will have the ability to create a first-class entertainment destination that's open year-round, provides jobs to the people in the community and continues to draw people from around the world. I would like to thank the Bloomberg administration and Thor Equities for working together to achieve an agreement that will ensure we can move forward. We are truly on the cusp of an exciting new day for Coney Island.”
“Today is a great day for the City of New York and the people of Coney Island,” said State Senator Savino. “With this announcement we are one step closer to the realization of a revitalized Coney Island. The preservation of the amusement industry and the promise of new housing and retail will finally restore Coney Island to what it once was, and will preserve it for generations.”
“Today is a great day for the City of New York and the people of Coney Island,” said State Senator Savino. “With this announcement we are one step closer to the realization of a revitalized Coney Island. The preservation of the amusement industry and the promise of new housing and retail will finally restore Coney Island to what it once was, and will preserve it for generations.”
“Today marks the start of an exciting new era for Coney Island,” said Joseph Sitt, Chairman and CEO of Thor Equities, which will retain roughly half of the property it owns in Coney Island. “From the beginning, we have wanted to work collaboratively with anyone and everyone who shared my childhood dream, and now company mission, of developing a revitalized Coney Island. We couldn't be happier to be working side-by-side with Mayor Bloomberg as a partner in achieving that goal.”
Mayor Bloomberg also announced that on Friday, November 13th, the City will issue a Request for Proposals to identify potential developers and operators for a first-phase, amusement park on a portion the City-owned sites. The sites will be leased to an amusement developer beginning in summer 2010. The City will invest over $150 million, together with millions more from the State and federal governments, to improve Coney Island’s infrastructure, including improving the underground infrastructure throughout the neighborhood, continue to rebuild large sections of the Boardwalk and construct a brand-new Steeplechase Plaza. Upon expiration of the first-phase lease and the completion of necessary infrastructure, the City expects to issue another Request for Proposals to identify a permanent amusement park developer. It is anticipated that existing amusements on other City-owned sites in the neighborhood, including the world-famous Cyclone and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park will continue to be operated by their current operators for the foreseeable future. The City also now owns a right of first offer for the remainder of Thor Equities’ land within the amusement and entertainment district.
The City will use a variety of criteria to evaluate responses to the Request for Proposals to be released on Friday, including: the strength of a respondent’s amusement and entertainment programming plan for the 2010 season and beyond; a clear understanding of the redevelopment objectives put forth in the Coney Island Comprehensive Plan; the economic impact of the proposal; the development’s financial feasibility; the development team’s qualifications and safety record; and a thoughtful and innovative approach to site design and planning that honors and takes into account Coney Island’s unique culture and history. The City expects to select an operator in January 2010. Respondents are strongly encouraged to provide a Minority and Women-owned Enterprises (M/WBE) and Local Hiring and Utilization Plan with methods for encouraging local hiring during construction. To obtain a copy of the complete RFP, visit www.nyc.gov/edc as of Friday, November 13th. Responses will be due no later than 4 p.m. on December 11, 2009.
Under the rezoning, the amusement and entertainment district will be bordered by Surf Avenue to the north, the New York Aquarium to the east, the Boardwalk to the south and Keyspan Park to the west. To ensure the amusement park is preserved for amusement uses, the City’s plan involves designating it as parkland and allowing development on what are currently parking lots adjacent to Keyspan Park. Any new development would include more parking than what is currently available. State legislation is necessary to make the sites available for development and additional parking.
The Coney Island Comprehensive Plan is part of the Bloomberg Administration’s Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan, a comprehensive strategy to create jobs for New Yorkers today, implement a long-term vision for growing the City’s economy, and build affordable, attractive neighborhoods in every borough.
CONTACT:
Stu Loeser/Andrew Brent (212) 788-2958
David Lombino/Libby Langsdorf (NYCEDC) (212) 312-3523
Stefan Friedman/Loren Riegelhaupt (Thor Equities) (212) 561-8730
About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is the City’s primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs. NYCEDC’s mission is to stimulate growth through expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment, generate prosperity and strengthen the City’s competitive position. NYCEDC serves as an advocate to the business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to take advantage of New York City’s many opportunities.
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