PW June 09 P28-29.qxd 5/26/09 1:56 pm Page 29
Park Update
www.parkworld-online.com
6) City ownership of Coney Island’s amusement area
is the important to move forward.
Requiem for
7) Don’t wait. There is only one chance to get this
Astroland
right.
Astroland Park occupied the last
Although Coney Island must diversify, the panel offered
intact parcel of the original Coney
this warning: “Big-box and mall retail should not be Island land divisions of the 1870s.
allowed in the entertainment zone; it will erode the Once the site of Feltman's
amusement district and dilute the brand. Coney Island
Restaurant, birthplace of the hot
should be about the totality of the experience across the
dog, the property was acquired by
district and how the indoor and outdoor areas work
the Albert family in 1954. It became
together.”
Astroland in 1962 after brief spells
However, the panel also urged a more cohesive
as Wonderland Amusement Park
approach to any new development: “The City should
and Feltman's Astro Park. After the
closure of Steeplechase Park in
own the land in the amusement area, but should leave
1964, the Albert family's Astroland
the development and operations to private partners.
provided the anchor that held
The continued Balkanization of Coney Island’s Coney Island together during the
amusement area is unsustainable, and the area will next four turbulent decades. Carol
best be developed by a single operator/developer.”
Albert Hill sold the property in 2006
The Coney Island Plan is expected to generate more
to Thor Equities and the park closed
than 25,000 construction jobs and 6,000 permanent
last season. This summer two dozen
jobs. When complete, the project will create 500,000
carnival rides will operate in its
sq ft of retail and neighbourhood services.
place, but its future remains
"I am confident that Coney Island and the existing
uncertain.
businesses will continue to thrive today and in the
years to come," concludes Vourderis. "It has
survived world wars, recessions, depressions
and even 9/11."
THEN AND NOW: Astroland in 2008 (top)
and Easter 2009
turning your world around
family coasters thrill & mega coasters indoor & custom designed attractions & specialities
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.
Asian Expo 2009
Schaapweg 18, 6063 BA Vlodrop, The Netherlands
Please visit us in Seoul
Tel.: +31 (0) 475-409222 Fax: +31 (0) 475-402115
at Booth No. 6001
sales@vekoma.com www.vekoma.com
JUNE 2009
29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48