Would Work with City PR Staff
By Sarah Ryley
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
CONEY ISLAND — Frustrated by the negative attention Coney Island seems to be getting lately, the neighborhood’s development corporation voted Monday to hire an outside media relations strategist for up to $10,000 a month who would work “in tandem” with the city’s own public relations staff.
Developer Joseph Sitt’s proposal to turn much of Coney Island’s carnival-like amusement district into a glitzy resort and year-round entertainment complex has dominated the news in recent years, particularly after he revealed intentions to include waterfront condos in the development. Sitt recently backed away from the condo portion of the proposal, replacing the condos with another hotel while still keeping the time-shares.
Apprehension grew last year when Sitt cleared away some outdoor amusements and bought the historic Astroland Amusement Park, with plans to close it after this summer season ends. Many people were left with the mistaken perception that this is “Coney Island’s last summer,” which even cast a somber note over last week’s otherwise flamboyant Mermaid Parade.
Sitt has said, in recent reports, that he is considering allowing Astroland to stay open for one more season while city planning issues are getting worked out.
“We’ve been overshadowed in recent months by other things, and we’ve got to get our strategic plan out there,” said Lynn Kelly, president of the city-funded Coney Island Development Corporation.
The agency plans to step up its fundraising efforts soon for expensive projects like the restoration of the B & B Carousel, boardwalk and streetscapes. Kelly and other board members have in the past expressed concern that any apprehension about Coney Island’s future could hinder those efforts and keep visitors away during the transitional period.
The board unanimously voted to approve up to a $10,000 monthly retainer fee, for up to two years, for a marketing consultant who Kelly said could counteract that effect. The money would be paid out of the agency’s $150,000 annual consultant budget. That person would “still work in tandem with the city’s press office,” said Kelly, of the city Economic Development Corporation’s press staff.
“Even though this is the going rate, this person will probably be the highest-paid marketing person in Coney Island,” said Dick Zigun, board member and founder of Coney Island USA.
Despite whatever dark shadows may be cast over the amusement district, attendance at this year’s Mermaid Parade was record-breaking by all accounts, with an estimated 300 percent increase in participation and attendance, said Dianna Carlin, owner of Lola Staar, a boardwalk boutique.
“It was extraordinary, it was just incredible to see the [former Child’s Restaurant] building alive again and full of life and energy,” said Carlin. “I just felt like it was a really historic day in Coney Island; a rebirth.
“There’s been so much negative press that I thought it would be a tough year,” Carlin added. “But it’s been exactly the opposite, people who have never come here, so many people are coming because they think it’s going to be the last year.
“Business has just been incredible [this season].”
On Sitt’s end, he held a community meeting last night, after press time, to unveil his revised plans for Coney Island.
© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2007
All materials posted on brooklyneagle.com are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast, posted on Gotham Gazette.com or any other blog without written permission, which can be sought by emailing arturc@att.net.
Main Office 718 422 7400
