Join us for one last rally to save Coney Island before the City Council votes on a flawed rezoning plan that would forever ruin the famed amusement district.

WHAT: Rally to Save Coney Island

WHEN: Sunday, July 26th at 1 p.m.

WHERE: By the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall

For more information, see:

saveconeyisland.net

When / Where:
* New York City Hall Steps (Btw. Broadway and Park Row)
* Wednesday June 10, 1 p.m.
* We will meet at 12:30 p.m. by the fountain in City Hall park so that we have time to go through security.
* Parade will follow demonstration.
The future of Coney Island is in danger!

The City’s current flawed rezoning plan would destroy Coney Island’s unique character and undermine its historic amusement district: It allows high-rise towers up to 27 stories tall in the heart of Coney Island’s amusement district. It limits the area reserved for the outdoor rides to a narrow, nine-acre strip of land. It endangers Coney Island’s historic buildings.

And time is running out! The Planning Commission will vote on the plan in just a couple of weeks!

We must urge Mayor Bloomberg, Council member Recchia, and the rest of City Council to fix this flawed plan:
* Expand the acreage for outdoor rides and amusements. Nine acres isn’t enough!
* Keep high-rises out of the heart of the amusement district.
* Protect small businesses, create amusement jobs, preserve Coney Island’s historic structures.

By fixing its plan, the City can revitalize Coney Island’s historic amusement district, preserving this local treasure as a playground for all New Yorkers, a world-class tourist destination and an economic engine for New York City.

WHEN: Saturday April 11, 2009
WHERE: South Paw
ADMISSION: $12 Adv/ $15 @ the door
DOORS: 8pm, show 9pm
www.SPSounds.com for tickets

On Saturday, April 11th NYC performers, musicians and artists will join together at Southpaw to deliver a roller coaster thrill ride of a benefit to support the SAVE CONEY ISLAND group, fighting to protect the future of the people's playground!

The benefit will include live music from GATO LOCO, Corn Mo's 357 LOVER & LES SANS CULLOTES. Plus live performances from Coney Island glitterati, including THE GREAT FREDINI, MISS CYCLONE ANGIE PONTANI, MISS CONEY ISLAND 2004 BAMBI, LITTLE BROOKLYN, PEEKABOO POINTE, HELEN PONTANI, MISS CONEY ISLAND 2005 JULIE ATLAS MUZ, THE WORLD FAMOUS *BOB*, THE DAISY SPURS & THE WORLD FAMOUS PONTANI SISTERS! Plus DJ Bill Coleman, Prince of Darkness and DJ Huckwild on the turntables all night!

FABULOUS RAFFLE!
Prizes Galore!! Astounding treasures from the Sparkling Sea of Coney Island!!

OPEN BAR
from 8pm-9pm with Hendrick's Gin & Coney Island Lager

DON'T MISS THIS NIGHT OF CONEY ISLAND MAGIC!!

City Council Land Use Hearing!!
 April 1st 2009, 1PM


Please attend the City Council Committee on Economic Development and Committee on Land Use public hearing on Coney Island!!

Date: Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Time:    1:00 PM
Location: Council Chambers - City Hall

Please help us tell the City Council that they must FIX their plan by making the following amendments:
1) Expand the acreage for outdoor rides and amusements.
2) Prevent high-rise towers from invading the heart of the amusement district.
3) Promote small businesses and local entrepreneurs and prevent their displacement.
4) Protect Coney Island's historic buildings.
5) Create jobs for New Yorkers in the amusement industry by preserving amusement zoning.

By fixing its plan, the city can revitalize Coney Island's historic amusement district, preserving it as a playground for all New Yorkers, a world-class tourist destination and an economic engine for the Coney Island community and New York City.

We encourage everyone to come prepared to make a statement at the hearing. In order to speak, make sure to come early and sign up!!

AND

 Brooklyn Borough President Hearing!!
 Monday, March 30, 5 PM

Please attend Marty Markowitz's public hearing on the Rezoning of Coney Island

Monday, March 30, 5 PM
Brooklyn Borough Hall
209 Joralemon Street
Brooklyn, NY

This is your opportunity to express your feelings to Brooklyn Borough President Marty Marcowitz about the City's flawed plan for the redevelopment of Coney Island

WHEN:

Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 12 PM



WHERE:

on the steps of City Hall



WHAT:

Save Coney Island, The Municipal Art Society,
Coney Island USA, Coney Island History
Project, and Astroland Co-Owner Carol Albert
invite you to join us at City Hall in
Manhattan as we call on the City of New York
and Thor Equities to end their battle and
reach an agreement that will enable the city
to purchase Thor Equities' land and create a
world-class amusement destination.



HELP US TELL THE CITY OF NEW YORK THAT:


It is time for them to take bold action and
BUY the land necessary to create a first-rate
amusement park.


To create this World Class Amusement
Destination, the city must also FIX their
plan and designate more land for outdoor
amusements, remove highrises from the heart of
the district, and promote locally-owned small
businesses



TELL ME MORE!!!

On Monday we will be sending an email with
more details about he press conference,
exciting surprise speakers and instructions
about cultivating a fantastical visual
presence at the press conference! Stay tuned
for more exciting details!!


PUBLIC HEARING AFTER PRESS CONFERENCE:

Please join us immediately after the press
conference for the City Council Public
Hearing at City Hall (information in Council Hearing post).


Coney Island deserves to be a World Class
AMUSEMENT DESTINATION!! Show the city that
we won't stand for less!!

It's time to hear your ideas for Coney Island.On Monday, October 27, MAS launched ImagineConey, a new initiative to develop new ideas for Coney Island's future. Our goal is to see Coney Island restored to its place as one of the world's great entertainment and amusement destinations - the "world's playground." On that day, we brought together a world-class team of designers, engineers, producers and economists at Brooklyn Borough Hall to listen to presentations from key stakeholders (click here to see photographs from the day and here to watch a NY1 broadcast).

The team will return for a two-day "charrette" - an intense design workshop - on November 13 and November 14 and present their initial ideas to the public on November 17.

But first, it's time for New Yorkers and Coney Island fans everywhere to fire up their imaginations and weigh in. We need your ideas for Coney Island's future: for events and activities, for new amusement rides, for the design of new structures and even for interim activities that could happen as early as the summer of 2009.

Here's how to submit your ideas. 1) Visit our new website ImagineConey.com. You can submit ideas as text (less than 150 words) on the website or as graphics which can be emailed to us at imagineconey@mas.org. 2) Attend a workshop next Monday, November 10 (in Coney Island) or next Wednesday, November 12 (at Brooklyn Public Library). For more information about the workshops, click here.All of the ideas will be displayed online at ImagineConey.com and also at an exhibit that will open in January 2009 here at MAS. The deadline for submission is December 15, and ideas submitted before November 12 will also be considered by the team for potential inclusion in their presentation on November 17.

So start "Imagining Coney" - and please forward this e-mail to all your friends and colleagues who you think might be interested!

You are invited to join Save Coney Island and Lola Staar's Dreamland Roller Rink as we ROCK the streets of Manhattan Coney Island Stye in true NYC roller skating splendor! We've had an INCREDIBLE response of RSVPs from amazing, colorful, sexy, fun amazing Halloween revelers! The Lola Staar's Dreamland Roller Rink/Save Coney Island float is going to be a party beyond compare!

Please remember to RSVP to DreamParty@LolaStaar.com (if you haven't already done so) so that we can send you more details as they develop!!

Here is some info about the parade!

What time?
Meet up between 6 and 6:30 on Friday, October 31st! We will be having a pre-parade dance party around the Dreamland Float so get there early!!

Where to Meet
At the Dreamland Roller Rink/Save Coney Island Float (look for the glowing hot pink float!!)
on 6th Avenue around Spring Street
We are "Coney Island Group 9"

What to Expect
The parade steps off at 7 PM from Sixth Avenue at Spring Street, marching straight up Sixth Avenue at a leisurely 1-block-every-5-minute-pace, allowing for performance. The parade ends at 21st and 22nd Streets, about 1 1/4 miles in just over an hour and a half.

Dreamland Roller Rink/Save Coney Island will have a large 25ish foot float with a rockin' sound system and the Roxy's Legendary DJ Julio spinnin' fabulous roller grooves for the masses!! It is going to be a roller/dance paarrrtttaaayyyy like you've never seen!! Expect to dance your ass off!!!

Unfortunately, we will not have room on the float to store people's bags, skates, costume pieces etc.

What to Wear?
The only dress code is that you must be roller/coney fabulous! Please represent Dreamland Roller Rink/ Save Coney Island by incorporating your Lola Staar tees into your costume! We encourage you to bring Save Coney Island Signs!! We encourage you to be as sexy and scandalous as possible!! As usual, we encourage glitter, bling, dazzle, fishnets and, of course, hot pink!!

Do I have to Skate?
No! you are welcome to walk, dance, run, jump along with us!! You are welcome to skate with the float but we ask that you do not hold onto the float to be pulled by it as we move forward! this can be very dangerous!

Who is invited to Participate in the Float?
Everyone is invited to represent Dreamland Roller Rink/ Save Coney Island in the parade! Just RSVP and you are signed up to march with our float! The more the merrier!! Come one!! Come all!! Children are welcome! Skaters! NonSkaters!! Dancers! Stilt walkers! Let's rock Manhattan Coney Island Style!!!!

RSVP
Please RSVP to DreamParty@LolaStaar.com!!!!

Afteparty
Stay tuned for juicy details about our fabulous afterparty (and after-after party!!)!! Please RSVP so that we can send you all the info!!

Questions?
Please email DreamParty@LolaStaar.com

Check out www.DreamlandRollerRink.com for more Halloween Parade Fabulous float info!!

Hurray!!!!! The parade is going to be so much fun!!!!

We are going to have so much FUN and spread the word about Save Coney Island!!

BY JOTHAM SEDERSTROM

DAILY NEWS

Tuesday, September 23rd 2008,

In an increasingly bitter feud, a top Coney Island developer's lawyer has accused a Bloomberg administration official of a smear campaign to discredit the builder's plans for the aging seaside mecca.

Lawyer Jesse Masyr charged in a two-page letter to Coney Island Development Corp. board members that president Lynn Kelly was mounting a campaign of deceit against Thor Equitities and its principal, Joseph Sitt.

"Ms. Kelly's misstatements are both factually incorrect and unhelpful ..." wrote Masyr in the Sept. 22 letter, obtained Tuesday by the Daily News.

"Make no mistake, her personal attacks on Thor do not create one new job, do not repair one inch of the boardwalk and certainly do not bring the city any closer to a viable plan to revitalizing this national treasure."

Masyr even went out of his way to praise other Bloomberg officials as "[willing] to work with us and recognize that we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make Coney Island great once again."

A bristling Kelly issued a terse statement, saying, "I'm not going to dignify this letter by getting into a personal back and forth and I believe Thor's history speaks for itself."

Thor and city officials have engaged in attacks ever since plans were unveiled for Coney Island last November - when then-Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff insulted Thor President Joe Sitt by calling him a "mall developer."

Masyr's letter, which was sent Monday, apparently stemmed from a Sept. 8 column Kelly wrote for The News. In the letter, Masyr slammed Kelly for claiming:

That condominiums continue to be a key aspect of Sitt's plan for the area - even though Masyr says housing was scrapped by the developer more than a year ago. Still, plans for huge 900 square-foot hotel rooms - more than twice the size of an average hotel room - have critics worried Thor may be planning time-share apartments.
That Thor intends to keep much of its sought-after Coney Island property vacant, to bully city officials into meeting its controversial zoning demands.
That Thor's Summer of Hope promotion, which brought temporary attractions to Coney Island, was a "flop." Many rides were scrapped earlier than planned.
A Thor spokesman also declined to comment.

NY Observer

http://www.observer.com/2008/real-estate/be-very-very-scared-coney-island-without-rezoning-warns-city-0

Back in the late spring, the city added a few new slides to its Coney Island redevelopment plan PowerPoint, presumably to assuage critics, that showed successively how the core amusement area has shrunk decade after decade to become just a pitiful shadow of what it once was. With the city's planned rezoning, the pitch went, Coney could come closer to its heyday and be large and lively by historic standards.

Now with Astroland apparently headed to amusement park heaven, the city added a new slide.

"Coney Island: 2009?" the slide read, showing an overhead view with active amusements highlighted in orange, and a big swath missing where Astroland is today.

With this month's news that Astroland owner Carol Hill Albert has proclaimed the signature Coney Island amusement park closed forever after she couldn't secure a lease with landlord Joe Sitt, the Bloomberg administration seems to be that much more intent--or desperate, perhaps--on pushing forward with its rezoning for the area. The planning action, for which the city wants to secure Council approval in about a year, would take a large area zoned for amusements and make space for over 4,000 units of new housing, a retail center, hotels, and a central amusement district characterized by "entertainment retail," indoor and outdoor rides.

And what happens if there is no rezoning under the Bloomberg administration?

"We all should be scared--we all should be very, very scared," said Lynn Kelly, president of the city-run Coney Island Development Corporation.

"If we don't get that rezoning done now, what will happen is there will be more vacant property," she said. "We won't have anything to talk about but whether we want to go shopping at Bed Bath and Beyond."

As Ms. Kelly and other officials have emphasized before, city officials seem terrified that a future administration might change their plans or not have the fortitude to hold firm against Mr. Sitt, and thus want to get the rezoning done themselves before the end of 2009.

The problem at Coney, from the city's vantage point, is a recalcitrant property owner who owns most everything in the central amusement area (including the Astroland site) and won't agree to a deal to sell his land and give up his vision of redeveloping Coney Island himself. (From the point of view of the landlord, Joe Sitt, the city is boxing him into a position where he is forced to sell much of his land, and develop potentially unviable uses on the rest of it.)

Key to the city's plan is its intention to designate as parkland a central 9-acre swath of property by the boardwalk, much of which is owned by Mr. Sitt. Thus far the landlord has rejected the city's offers of tens of millions for the property, and his attorney has said the city's proposed zoning for the rest of Mr. Sitt's land would likely be unviable and may be impossible to finance given its specificity.

Earlier this week, Deputy Mayor Bob Lieber told us he was very much prepared to move forward on the rezoning, with or without Mr. Sitt's cooperation. Without him, the city's plan would change some: the 9-acre strip of land by the boardwalk would be left with the current zoning, and would not be given the parkland designation that the city has said is so vital.