New York City, November 15, 2004
The Van Alen Institute, in cooperation with Coney Island Development Corporation (CIDC), is sponsoring an international design competition to help create a Parachute Pavilion in Coney Island. As envisioned, the new pavilion, at the base of the landmarked Parachute Jump, will feature a small concession for a restaurant, souvenir shop and multi-purpose exhibition and event space. The competition is open to all architects and designers and related fields.
"The Parachute Pavilion will be an all-season center of activity, drawing the public onto the Boardwalk, the beach and Surf Avenue, and to a new recreational destination," said Joshua J. Sirefman, President, Coney Island Development Corporation and COO, New York City Economic Development Corporation. "Coney Island was the world's playground at the turn of the 20th Century and enjoyed many roles in the imaginations of New Yorkers and people from around the world. The goal of this competition is to generate innovative design proposals that will contribute to a 21st Century vision for Coney Island to regain the area's prominence as a destination of choice."
The 7,800-square-foot Parachute Pavilion will be located between West 16th and West 17th Streets, at the intersection of the Riegelmann Boardwalk, KeySpan Park's Surf Avenue-to-Boardwalk path, the Parachute Jump and Steeplechase Pier.
Coney Island is in the middle of a revival. Last year the CIDC was established by Mayor Bloomberg with a mandate to make Coney Island a year-round, world-class recreational oceanfront destination through business development, job creation, new housing, neighborhood improvement, and unique cultural events. CIDC is finalizing the Coney Island Strategic Development Plan, which is expected to be released in early 2005.
The competition calls for conceptual design proposals for the new pavilion from designers and design teams worldwide. Entries will be judged by an 11-member jury consisting of architectural and design professionals, as well as representatives of City agencies and the Coney Island community.
"During my campaign for Borough President, I enthusiastically presented the idea of finding new and creative uses for the legendary Parachute Jump on Coney Island," said Borough President Marty Markowitz. "This design contest for the Parachute Pavilion brings us one step closer to realizing Brooklyn's vision of our Eiffel Tower - the Parachute Jump - becoming an international symbol once again. From its beaches and the boardwalk to its restaurants and nightlife, the best days for Coney Island are yet to come."
The winner of the competition will receive $20,000 and the New York Prize, the opportunity to work with the Van Alen Institute to develop a program that further amplifies the goals of the competition and demonstrates the role of powerful design in improving the future of the area. Second prize will be $5,000 and third prize $3,000. Sponsors of the competition include Independence Community Foundation, Consolidated Edison and KeySpan Corporation. CIDC and Van Alen Institute are also working with New York City Economic Development Corporation, NYC Parks and Recreation and NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission on the project.
"The beautification of the Parachute Jump was a long awaited project," said Councilmember Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. "The Parachute Jump is the focal point of Coney Island and a beacon to the entire City. This competition is another step forward in making Coney Island once again the greatest playground in the world."
Ray Gastil of the Van Alen Institute said, "This design competition is an extraordinary opportunity for today's generation of designers. Designers will enter because the stakes are high and they will be striving to prove they have a design vision powerful enough to take its place at this legendary location."
Van Alen Institute is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving design in the public realm through a program of exhibitions, competitions, publications, workshops and forums. It is an advocate for active and accessible waterfronts. Based in New York City, the Institute's projects initiate interdisciplinary and international collaborations between practitioners, policy makers, students, educators and community leaders.
Submissions for the competition are due April 18, 2005. For complete information about The Parachute Pavilion: An Open Design Competition for Coney Island, please visit www.vanalen.org or www.thecidc.org. Entries will be exhibited at a venue to be determined in Coney Island when a winner is selected.
