Dear friends,

I write to remind you that the official opening of Astroland Amusement Park will be on Sunday, March 16, 2008. I hope that you will join me in helping to usher in a new year of fun and excitement at Astroland (and Deno's Wonder Wheel Park).

I am also writing to update you on an important issue regarding the future of Coney Island as we know it. As you know, there has been much debate over the future of Coney Island. Specifically, in terms of how will Coney Island be developed and who will do it. The City of New York and Thor Equities (who is Astroland's landlord) have put forth plans to develop the amusement area and significant portions of Coney Island. At the moment, the City of New York is attempting to secure approval of it's plan at breakneck speed and push Thor Equities -- and everyone else -- aside.

Despite claims to the contrary, the City of New York's plan totally ignores the western half of Coney Island and improperly calls for the use of eminent domain to take over the land where the amusement area currently sits. These two issues serve as the tip of the iceberg in terms of why the plan should be defeated.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/...coney_island/index.shtml  ) and join me in opposiing it. What follows are two documents that I have drafted with regard to my opposition of the plan and what I believe are the shortcomings of the City's Scope of Work for an Environmental Impact Statement/Coney Island Rezoning.

I am also asking you to forward any comments that you might have on the issue to me (either at this email address or through the mail to -- Brian L. Gotlieb / 2930 West 5th Street, Suite 12G / Brooklyn, NY 11224 -- or via fax to 718-946-1302). Upon receipt of your comments, I will forward them to our local elected officials and the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

Thank you in advance for your time in this very important matter.

Brian L. Gotlieb

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