New NY State License Plate Revealed—And Required On All Cars
Access-A-Ride Renders Bike Lane Inaccessible
Cops: Fort Greene Violence Sparked By Chicken Wing Promotion
The UWS Gets Its Very Own Apple Store
64 Things Restaurant Patrons Must NEVER Do
While it just opened for the season on Sunday, it looks like Astroland has a chance at staying open beyond the 2007 season. That's if Thor Equities, the company that purchased the land Astroland sits on, doesn't get its way on development plans. Astroland's status now depends on whether there are any delays to Thor's future plans. Joe Sitt of Thor told The Post that he's "willing to keep Astroland open" and "the last thing I want is for Coney Island to go dark."
How willing Thor Equities is to keep Astroland open depends on whether the City Council will allow luxury condos on the site of the amusement park. Apparently, it doesn't make "fiscal sense" for them to develop the land without the condos. In addition to the luxury condos, Thor's plan also calls for several rides (including a new rollercoaster), commercial space, and a hotel. All of it in an attempt to make Coney Island a year-round destination. An out of the way, year-round destination with chilling breezes off the water.
Assuming no delays or changes to redevelopment plans, Astroland is scheduled to close on September 9th. For anyone worried about the Cyclone, it's safe as it's on city property.
And, if you're interested, there's a petition to support NYC Planning Director Amanda Burden's stance against rezoning.
Photo of Wonder Wheel by Tien Mao
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
You ever get the feeling these Thor people don't know what the f*** they're doing?
I keep hearing that the Cyclone is safe. I am assuming that the Wonder Wheel is too?
Correct for now the cyclone and wonder wheel is safe, cyclone probably wont go anywhere and the wonderwheel, if anything goes might be deno park kiddie rides on the boardwalk but the wheel is staying i'm most certain
If it is a destination, it is not out of the way. "Ways" lead to destinations. That's like saying Disney World is out of the way...yeah, if you are heading to London, it's out of the way - but not if you're going to Disney.
jeez, T.R., are you some kind of soccer-mom safety-nut? The line "For anyone worried about the Cyclone, it's safe as it's on city property." isn't in refernce to the safety of the ride, it means the Cyclone is protected from being razed by developers because it's on city property, and also, it's a designated historical landmark owned by the parks department and on lease to a private operating company.
As far as your personal physical safety is concerned, you do get a healthy dose of whiplash from riding it, but that's about it. If you're worried about safety, you probably shouldn't be riding rollercoasters, especially not old wooden ones.
by "safe" T.R. may have meant "safe from destruction by development".
The only thing the Coney Island and the city need to be made safe from (in this instance) is Thor Equities and other such Rats.
I'm wondering who would actually live in an expensive luxury condo on Coney Island. Seriously, think about it. Aside from the amusement park, what upper-class yuppie amenities will be in the area? None! Also, it's about a $40 cab ride from Manhattan. Is this the place that the upper-class will choose to live in? I think Thor is genuinely having second thoughts.
Thank god.
Well, Mr. "Reading comprehension 101", you might want to take advice from your own usnername and read my post again. As anomolous was able to deduct, I was talking about the ride being safe from being removed from coney island, not being hazardous to my non existant soccer playing children. I love the cyclone and the wonder wheel in all of their rickety glory. Get a grip.
carnie, people send the same thing about the russian baths at brighton beach. they tore them down put up luxury condos called the oceana and they sold out.
As a year long resident of Coney Island and a life long resident I welcome redevelopment plans...Coney Island is NOT a safe place 9 months out of the year and the Coney Island has been in demise for over 60 years..The beach is fantastic....the BOARLDWALK great!!!!only thing holding back development is the selfious GREED of the remaining tenants(vendors) of Coney Island and the transients that come once a year......Space should be utilized and enjoyed 12 months of the year by ALL the people.....the YEAR ROUND residents have suffered LONG ENOUGH!!!!!!!!
Perry - If you don't like it, MOVE! Coney Island and it's attractions are as New York as the Yankees and the Staten Island Ferry. The somewhat seedy-looking arcades and aging attractions are part of it's charm from bygone eras. It is almost a tribute to fleeting grittiness that once defined much of New York City. Are you one of those that need everything sanitized for you like the new Times Square?