CITY COUNCIL APPROVES CONEY ISLAND PLAN

July 29, 2009

BP MARKOWITZ APPLAUDS CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF CONEY ISLAND PLAN

"Worldwide, the words 'Coney Island' conjure 'America's Playground,' renowned for its outlandish amusements, a beautiful beach and bustling boardwalk, food and entertainment, and a unique sense of affordable family fun. I want to commend Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Robert Lieber, the EDC and President Seth Pinsky and Vice President Madelyn Wils, the CIDC and President Lynn Kelly, as well as Community Board 13, ACORN and all the other community groups and stakeholders who care so passionately about Coney. Thanks to Council Speaker Christine Quinn and the Council--and the leadership and commitment of Brooklyn's own great Coney Island champion, Council Member Dominic Recchia--today's vote to approve the Coney Island Plan marks another important victory for Coney Island, Brooklyn and New York City.

Let's face it, as we continue to work to ensure Coney's bright future we don't always agree on everything, but Coney Island is bigger than all of us. It was here before we were ever thought of, and with our strong commitment it will be here and thriving long after we're gone. Coney Island is about families, and it is a tribute to all involved that we are all committed to making sure Coney Island is indeed the "place to be."

Throughout this process, I have insisted that any proposal we approve must 'build with Coney, by Coney and for Coney'--and the inclusion of some of my most critical recommendations--guaranteed amusement frontage, payment of prevailing wages, no less than 35 percent affordable housing in the Coney West and Coney North districts, replacement of Abe Stark rink and a new community gymnasium at PS 188--help achieve that goal.

As we move forward I will continue to advocate for more amusements and architecture and design that remains unique, creative and iconic. As we know, Coney Island's 19th and 20th century heydays inspired every single great amusement park that came after it, and it must live on as a place where families of every means can come to play and to dream. We owe it to these families to get the job done--to make Coney Island once again the "amusement epicenter" of America for the rest of this century and beyond.