Markowitz Wants Stimulus $$ to Repair Coney Island Boardwalk

The Coney Island Boardwalk has been seriously deteriorating over the years, and Borough President Marty Markowitz says it's time for Washington to help save it. He tells the Daily News what anyone who's drunkenly stumbled around the Boardwalk with a Pina Colada knows all too well: "It’s in horrible condition." The city is currently spending $5 million to renovate a small section of the Boardwalk (with plastic!), but a total overhaul of the entire 3-mile promenade is estimated to cost more than $200 million. That's close to half of the total $500 million for infrastructure projects the city expects to receive as part of the federal stimulus package, and Markowitz says it's worth it, because Coney Island "generates jobs and it generates family fun, which is so needed right now." But with Astroland gone and other Boardwalk businesses getting squeezed by developer Joe Sitt, one wonders how much fun a family can really expect in the summers to come. On the other hand, falling into one of those treacherous holes in the Boardwalk is no fun at all.

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By John Del Signore in News on February 24, 2009 12:11 PM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

"Stuart Smalley, noooo!"

felixthecat2

ugh, those man boobs are horrible. I'm sick. gaah

fugothamist

$12,626.26 per foot

Snoopy

Plus materials?

JacqueMehoff

I was thinking a million should be enough to "REPAIR"

the boardwalk. they just replacing rotting wood.

whitecastlerock

We all have to make tough choices and I think the best thing would be for the elimination of the borough presidents. I know it would take awhile for people to figure out what they have been missing once they are gone, but it is for the best.

fugothamist

200 million dollars?

we fail as a society when we aren't even questioning the amount

ed_Extinct

i want a stimulus to repair my bank account.

TimSPC

There's no way it should cost $200 million to lay in three miles of boardwalk. That's just insane.

nomnomnom

I think it could easily cost that. You have to remember it's union labor and probably a lot of beach/amenity improvements.

QM

My uncle can get it done for a quarter of the cost.

nomnomnom

"I've got your stimulus package right here," says Marty Markowitz.

Nyctini11

As of now, there really is no Coney Island after what Shit i mean Sitt did with destroying Astroland etc., and i love CI as much as the next person but, at a time like this i think NY really needs to put the money to better use. Can't we fine Sitt, like they can store owners etc, when their sidewalks are dirty or garbage isn't packed neatly? He made a mess, let's make him clean it up!

UpperEastSighed

Thanks for ruining my lunch. Ugh.

Dirk

My eyes! My eyes!

longacre

$200 million for some wood planks? Undoubtedly Marty has formed his own contracting company to secure a no-bid contract on the job.

Toby von Meistersinger

If there is one thing Marty Markowitz knows it is pork!

Leon Freilich

YOU'RE THE TOP (OR THE BOTTOM)

The real estate crowd really prays

That Chelsea moves to 42nd

For then more gays will wend their ways

To Times Queer, where they're sure to be beckoned.