The city has chosen Italian-based company Zamperla USA to become the new amusement park operator for Coney Island.

Zamperla USA was named the new amusement park operator for Coney Island Tuesday.

The company was among several others vying for the operating rights, including Ripley’s Believe or Not and Steel Pier.

Contenders for the rights had to submit proposals, which included developing at one of the three parcels of land between the former Astroland site and KeySpan Park.

Sources say Zamperla’s plan included developing all three.

City officials want the rides up and running by this summer.

The city acquired the land from developer Joe Sitt last month.

Zamperla is an Italian company and is one of the largest manufactures of amusement rides in the world with its American headquarters based out of Parsippany, New Jersey.

Source: NY1

The real estate firm Thor Equities closed today the Dreamland amusement park at Coney Island, Brooklyn due to missed rent payments.

Sources tell NY1 that Dreamland, which began occupying the former site of Astroland this year, paid $30,000 in rent but owes another $600,000.

The historical Cyclone roller coaster, which is run by the city, and the privately-owned Deno’s Wonder Wheel are still running.

Thor Equities says Dreamland will be reopened as soon the debts are paid.

Source: NY1

Mayor Michael Bloomberg can now boast of a big victory: The New York City Council has approved his plan to redevelop Coney Island.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of transforming the Brooklyn beach front into a year-round entertainment complex.

Coney Island would get a new amusement park, high-rise hotels, restaurants, retail stores, movie theaters and the city’s first new rollercoaster since 1927.

Community activists say redevelopment could rob Coney Island of its old nostalgia, even though the landmarked Cyclone will stay.

Now, there’s one more hitch for the city’s Coney Island plan: a battle over land between two billionaires, Bloomberg and developer Joseph Sitt.

City officials are negotiating with Sitt to buy his chunk of land in the amusement area.

Source: AP

The full City Council will vote today on the controversial Coney Island redevelopment proposal.

The rezoning plan calls for a new amusement park, high-rise apartment buildings, hotels and restaurants.

It’s part of the city’s plan to turn the area into a year-round entertainment complex.

Some community groups have criticized the plan, saying it will sanitize the gritty boardwalk area.

Even if the plan does pass, an agreement still has to be reached with developer Joe Sitt, who owns a significant amount of land within the plan’s reach.

Source: NY1

Two City Council committees voted today to approve a controversial plan backed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to redevelop Coney Island.

The zoning committee approved the plan five to one, with Councilman Tony Avella opposed to the project. He was the only one to vote on an amendment to the bill.

The council’s land use committee passed the measure 13 to two, with Avella and Councilman Charles Barron against it.

The plan calls for the expansion of the amusement district to 27 acres, with a 120-acre park at its core and the neighborhood’s first new rollercoaster in 80 years. Currently, the amusement district makes up about three acres.

Additionally, the redevelopment would include 4,500 new housing units and a new park.

Officials say the project would create 6,000 permanent jobs and 25,000 construction jobs, along with bringing more than $14 billion in economic activity.

“The committee vote gets us one step closer to a final approval of our plan to revitalize Coney Island, protect and expand the historic amusement district and create jobs and housing for the area,” said the mayor’s office. “We’re hopeful the council will adopt the plan when it convenes next week.”

The plan still faces some challenges, as it has not yet reached a deal with developer Joe Sitt, who owns nearly 11 acres of land needed for the project and claims the city’s plan cannot move forward without him.

Next week, the redevelopment is set to go before the full City Council for a vote.

Source: NY1

Being able to live and work in Coney Island — that was the demand from a group of union workers, housing advocates and residents Wednesday as they rallied outside a public hearing in Downtown Brooklyn.

Meanwhile, City Planning Commission members were busy getting pressured by amusement park advocates as the panel prepares to vote on the city’s Coney Island rezoning plan to make the area a year-round destination.

“They have to do more and this is the time they have to do it.”

Dick Zigun, a longtime activist for Coney Island’s unique character, wants changes in the city’s plan. Among them, the sideshow and Mermaid Parade organizer wants the outdoor amusement district expanded.

“At least make some gestures to us, give us an opportunity to build a coalition for you. Give us excellence in your plan if you want a coalition in the months to come,” said Zigun.

Building support is what the city needs as it tries to counter a developer, Thor Equities, which owns key parcels along the boardwalk.

“We’ve given the opportunity if Thor Equities wants to be a partner to step up and actually develop the land or we’ve also offered to buy him out. And we continue to talk to him and continue to hope that we’ll arrive at some kind of middle ground that’s a win situation for everyone,” said City Planning Commission Representative Purnima Kapur.

In the meantime, the city is trying to win over its critics. After two other public hearings, the city modified its proposal to address some community concerns. It has lowered the proposed height of buildings on Surf Avenue and required any potential large hotels to include amusements. The plan also includes incentives for developers to include 20 percent affordable housing.

The City Planning Commission is expected to vote on the Coney Island plan in mid-June. It then goes on to the City Council for review.

Source: NY1