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It is ashame what is happening there. I have been reading about Thor and how he is pushing to redevelop the area. It just amazes me how a company can come in with all kinds of money and start buying properties like crazy. It also is amazing how people fall for it hook, line, and sinker. If there wasn't a big push by the city and public outcry, this company could have easily taken over the entire area. I often question, why did places like Astroland sell to Thor? I think I know the answer but thought I would ask anyway.

Anyway, I guess I may try to head up there this summer. I have never been there but think it would be an interesting place to explore. Anyone know if all the amusements and stuff is open everyday? What about times? Is it open through the week during the day?

Also, if I were to take Amtrak into the city, is there an easy and safe way to get to coney island?

I hope this isn't the last season. I hate to see it go down in history with the other beach resort amusements like the the ones that used to exist there, the Myrtle Beach Pavilion and the Asbury Park Palace. The thing is Coney Island isn't the only beach amusement park in trouble and I am sure it won't be the last.
It is what you learn, after you know it all, that counts.
here is the text of a flyer being distributed in Coney this weekend by the Save Coney Island Coalition. If anyone wants to repost it in their blog or reprint it for distribution, it's all yours....
It was written because those of us who work in the amusement district are constantly asked by visitors who feel passionately about saving the historic, authentic, one-of-a-kind Coney...Is Thor's plan a done deal? what can we do?

The flyer can be viewed in HTML format here:
http://www.phantomplayland.com/SaveConeyIsland.htm 
http://www.magicalthemep...com/coneyisland/help.pdf 

What can I do to help
SAVE CONEY ISLAND?!
The Save Coney Island Coalition says yes to revitalizing Coney’s world famous amusement zone!
NO to 26 New High Rises of up to 30 stories each in the current Amusement District!
NO to Retail, Malls or “Entertainment Retail” in the Amusement District!
NO to shrinkage of the Amusement District from 61 acres to 9 acres!
YES to preserving Amusement Zoning in the Amusement District!!
YES to keeping Coney Island the People's Playground- providing accessible Amusements for ALL to enjoy!!

http://www.myspace.com/saveconeyisland 
Learn the truth! Don’t be fooled by the city’s spin on their revised rezoning plan!

Email Save.Coney@gmail.com to join the mailing list for news of upcoming protests, petitions and more!

http://www.coneyisland.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi 

Speak out at the public scoping meeting on Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 6pm, at Lincoln High School, 2800 Ocean Parkway. Written comments accepted through 5:00 P.M. on Friday July 11, 2008 and may be submitted at the public scoping meeting or sent to Rachel Belsky, New York City Economic Development Corporation, 110 William Street, New York, New York 10038. Attention: Rachel Belsky, Vice-President, rbelsky@nycedc.com, Telephone: (212) 312–3718, Fax: (212) 312–3989

If you are a resident of New York City, write, email, or phone Mayor Bloomberg, City Council President Christine Quinn, and your City Council Member.
http://council.nyc.gov/html/members/members.shtml 

If you are a visitor to Coney Island from outside the city, another state or country, when you get home, send a postcard to Mayor Bloomberg, telling him what you enjoyed about your visit, and why you won’t come back to visit a Coney Island where amusements and authenticity have been zoned out of existence and replaced by generic retail stores, formula restaurants and so-called “entertainment retail.”

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, City Hall, New York, NY 10007
Phone 311 (or 212-NEW-YORK outside NYC)
Fax (212) 788-2460, E-MAIL:http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html

Amusing the Zillion
A former carny kid casts an insider’s eye on the amusement business, Coney Island, and fun places in between
http://amusingthezillion.com/ 
http://twitter.com/AmusingZillion 
Quote:

quote:


Originally posted by shopdude

well all i can say was time well wasted on the beach in coney island glad i get a pay check each week! off to the next spot



hey shopdude, I'm glad you got to see Coney from the top of the Wonder Wheel before they put up a high rise next to it and block the view or move it away!
Amusing the Zillion
A former carny kid casts an insider’s eye on the amusement business, Coney Island, and fun places in between
http://amusingthezillion.com/ 
http://twitter.com/AmusingZillion 
well all i can say was time well wasted on the beach in coney island glad i get a pay check each week! off to the next spot
R.J.
Ya gotta love the Mermaid Parade
http://www.amny.com/news...heel0522,0,5902671.story 
Amusing the Zillion
A former carny kid casts an insider’s eye on the amusement business, Coney Island, and fun places in between
http://amusingthezillion.com/ 
http://twitter.com/AmusingZillion 
Yes, the B & B was sold to the city for $1.8 million back in 05 on the eve of what would have been its public auction. Dramatic rescue effort by Mayor Bloomberg! It has been in storage ever since. The good news is the carousel is now being restored by Carousel & Carvings in Marion, Ohio. Its future home will be a new pavilion in what the city is calling "Steeplechase Plaza."

The B & B will be next to the 1939 Parachute Jump, which hasn't operated as a ride since Steeplechase Park closed in 1964 and probably never will again. The Jump, along with the 1927 Cyclone roller coaster and the 1920 Wonder Wheel, which are operating rides, are designated city landmarks. The city is committed to preserving the four antique rides in the new redeveloped Coney.

But I'm extremely skeptical about them bringing any spectacular new rides like the ones shown in the original plans. The developer and city planners have no expertise in the amusement industry. Plus there's not enough space left when they start building their high-rises, retail stores, skating rink etc.

The building on Surf where the carousel used to be has been vacant since the ride's sale, but when the "B & B Carousell" sign with its distinctive lettering was painted over a few months ago, people felt sad.
Amusing the Zillion
A former carny kid casts an insider’s eye on the amusement business, Coney Island, and fun places in between
http://amusingthezillion.com/ 
http://twitter.com/AmusingZillion 
Quote:

quote:


Originally posted by Rockowheel

What is the status of the B & B Carousel? Realizing it's been closed for a couple of years or so, what are the plans; i.e. are there intentions of keeping it on Coney? etc. etc. Seeing the shuttered entrance on Surf Ave. has been heart-tugging....



The last I recall, the City had purchased it, and is restoring it to place it in a park nearby.
"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." - Lao-Tsu

"Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase." - Martin Luther King Jr.

"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." - Robert F. Kennedy
What is the status of the B & B Carousel? Realizing it's been closed for a couple of years or so, what are the plans; i.e. are there intentions of keeping it on Coney? etc. etc. Seeing the shuttered entrance on Surf Ave. has been heart-tugging....
Quote:

quote:


Originally posted by coney girl

Memorial Day weekend impressions……

People were pouring out of the subway station when I got off at Stillwell at noon on Monday. The platform was jam packed, it took 5 minutes just to make my way to the street. In the History Project booth, someone looking at our vintage photo of shoulder-to-shoulder beach goers said it was almost that crowded on Monday except everyone was on the beach, not in the water. It was cool, and windy…But I didn’t get to check it out myself b/c no breaks for me, too busy….

I felt happy to see the storefronts and lots along Surf and Stillwell filled again with rides, games and food. Last year property owner and real estate speculator Thor Equities evicted many of the amusement operators and tried to blight the area with empty lots and boarded up buildings. On Thursday I saw a slew of new and returning concessionaires setting up and stocking their stands on Surf. By Memorial Day afternoon, a dunk tank had sprung up on a tiny lot between Jones Walk and 12 St.

It’s too bad Thor’s new strategy is just a diversionary tactic.. While Thor pr flacks are proclaiming “The Summer of Hope” in Coney by bringing in the carnival and renting out the storefronts, Thor’s attorney is putting the screws to the city for permanent rezoning to allow generic retail and high rises in the area.

Coney Island is like nowhere else on earth—I mean is there any other city which has an old neighborhood zoned exclusively for amusement rides and attractions?! With multiple owners?!

If you’ve never been to Coney, or want one last look, better come this summer. We’re calling it the 2nd annual last season for Coney Island because last season was said to be the last. No joke though, it really may be the last for quite a few folks.

btw I did get to talk with Stefan, thanks! Nice to meetcha, shopdude…see you next weekend!





Thats why im coming down from Toronto this summer to NYC
BeauceCarnavalMan