Let’s help Coney Island live up to its promise as a destination playground

The plans could lead to a Coney Island renaissance

May 6, 2024 Dick Zigun

Rendering courtesy of The Coney

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In November 2023, the Coney Island Brewery closed its doors — citing the seasonal nature of the area’s economy as one of the hurdles to finding a path to profitability. They certainly aren’t the first business in Coney Island to be hamstrung by this reality and likely will not be the last. We’ve lost too many other businesses, including both franchises and small businesses: Applebee’s, Wahlberger’s, Kitchen 21 and more. The status quo has not only frozen progress, but we are also now actively moving backward as a community in terms of things to do and places to go for locals and visitors alike.

After a 45-year career as Coney Island’s No. 1 amusement park advocate, I’ve decided to speak out on behalf of the recent proposal to build an entertainment and gaming venue across the street from the historic Nathan’s location, just steps off of our iconic boardwalk.

The Coney Hotel and Resort is a uniquely Brooklyn proposal. Instead of being hidden inside a skyscraper, The Coney would, instead, “finish the job” of creating a Coney Island renaissance — already half built — for the 21st Century. Coney Island is already world famous and features tourist attractions like Luna Park, Wonder Wheel Park, the aquarium, amphitheater, minor league baseball and the annual Mermaid Parade. Coney Island has solved many problems it has faced over the years, but one hurdle remains. It is a prominent destination in search of a principal attraction: a year-round attraction.

The Bloomberg administration took over half of the land zoned for amusements and recreation for housing but promised a renaissance within the remaining smaller area. The new rides are impressive, but we still need to develop the private lots. I intend to fight and see that vision completed.

To once again deserve the nickname “The World’s Playground,” we need an influx of major private infrastructure. Coney Island needs a world-class hotel. Coney Island needs rooms for conventions. Coney Island needs a large indoor theater for world-class entertainers and musicians. Coney needs free-of-charge, family-friendly bathrooms and other open-space infrastructure. Coney Island needs 4000+ jobs, especially good year-round union jobs. Frankly, there is no other alternative that can activate so much land so quickly. It’s pollyannaish to suggest Coney Island will have a better opportunity in our lifetimes.

The Coney is also backed by a magnitude of New York-based companies like Saratoga Casino Hotel and Legends Entertainment, alongside the gaming arm of the Chickasaw Nation. While detractors frequently point to the boogeyman that is Atlantic City, realists can clearly see the projects already built and run by these companies here in New York State and throughout the country shine in comparison.

Coney Island Casino winter wonderland. Rendering courtesy of The Coney

Brooklyn once again is thriving with Barclays, Brooklyn Paramount and Kings on Flatbush, so why not finish revitalizing our world-famous community? Casinos employ dancers, magicians, musicians and ventriloquists, not to mention members of the IATSE Stagehands Union.

Gambling has become part of American culture. When I shop at my neighborhood Bodega, I see a Lotto machine. Local TV news stations announce Mega Millions numbers. Sports fans this year were gambling on the color of Taylor Swift’s lipstick at the last Super Bowl. The World’s largest and newest cruise ship has a casino. Historically, Coney Island already had legalized gambling from 1860-1910.

Families who stay at The Coney Hotel will go to the beach, ride the amusement attractions, attend concerts, and shop on the Boardwalk and Surf Avenue. You can bet The Coney’s contributions will help revive Coney Island.