Coney Island Amphitheater Rendering Revealed, Reviled

Opposition to a proposed $64 million amphitheater in Asser Levy-Seaside Park in Coney Island is mounting, with a community group demanding a public review process. Despite the foundering economy, Borough President Marty Markowitz is still championing it, and a rendering of the design, seen here, was recently released by Grimshaw Architects. But Markowitz has failed to win over some disgruntled locals, who have formed a Save Seaside Park campaign and deemed the whole plan an "atrocity." One former Community Board member tells the Brooklyn Eagle, "What — $64 million for this? Why put a commercial venue in the midst of a residential community, bringing traffic jams? Our libraries and school programs are being cut. It will take away parkland and bring more noise. We don’t need this expensive plastic potato chip here!" Community Board 13 is expected weigh in on the project within the next two months.