[size=18px]Advance to Boardwalk!
Coney Island overhaul plan[/size]
BY DEBORAH KOLBEN
DAILY NEWS WRITER
Artist's rendering of new Coney Island mixes staples like Nathan's and Astroland amid open-air cafes, theaters and arcades in glitzy outdoor covered midway.
It's a Coney Island that will blow your mind.
In a cross between Las Vegas and Disneyland, the city plans to transform the fading honky-tonk amusement area into a flashy year-round entertainment destination.
Imagine a hotel and spa on the beach. Open-air cafes along the Boardwalk. A grand glass entrance to the aquarium. A glitzy outdoor covered midway on Stillwell Ave. with fire jugglers on unicycles and flashy neon signs.
"This is the beginning of a dream come true," said City Councilman Domenic Recchia (D-Coney Island).
After years of neglect, the city unveiled a draft master plan for Coney Island last night that also includes movie theaters, bowling alleys, arcades and apartment buildings.
A final plan is expected this summer.
"Our goal is to capitalize on Coney Island's world-class waterfront location and transform the area into a year-round destination," said Joshua Sirefman, president of the Coney Island Development Corp. and chief of staff to Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff.
The once-grand seaside resort took a dive after the Depression and never fully recovered.
Critics fear the city's plans will destroy Coney's legendary nitty-gritty flavor that comes from beloved attractions such as Dunk the Creep and the Coney Island Circus Sideshow, otherwise known as the freak show.
Advocates of the plan say similar arguments sought to preserve the peep shows on W. 42nd St., which has now been transformed into one of the city's brightest jewels.
The new plan for Coney Island - which covers W. Fifth to W. 37th Sts. between the ocean and Neptune Ave. - aims to bring visitors back to the Boardwalk with restaurants, cafes and a revived aquarium.
The plan also proposes a new ferry at Stillwell Ave., just blocks from the new $280 million solar-paneled subway station.
The shuttered Child's Restaurant on the Boardwalk - known for its long-gone singing waiters - could be buzzing with diners once again, if the city has its way. The historic three-story building with marble columns is now covered in graffiti and peeling paint.
A multicultural center with a gym and pool is also planned for area residents.
The plan envisions a revitalized Boardwalk and beach, with a new beach club/spa, organized events and improved changing facilities.
"Everybody is very hopeful," said Charles Reichenthal, district manager of Community Board 13 and a member of the Coney Island Development Corp. "This could spell a great future for all of Coney Island."
WHAT A CROCK !!!
"One of the city's brightest jewels" my ass.I guess overpriced food, goods, and attractions are just fine with the politicians as long as its geared to tourists. Oh wait, WE will have to pay the inflated prices too. Now I'm begining to know how Orlando residents must feel.
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