Municipal Art Society To Solve All Coney Problems With Charrette
In the works for years now, the city's planned redevelopment of Coney Island has never been short on input. A sampling of what we've seen in the last year: A self-proclaimed "bombshell" press conference by a dissatisfied state Senator, an environmental "scoping" hearing with a stream of freaks, musicians, a hunger striker and the Reverend Billy; an info session that attracted busloads of protesters, many of whom were apparently unfamiliar with the issue.
Now, the Municipal Art Society is stepping deep into the muck, with plans on Monday to kick off its own charrette—a pow-wow of designers and amusement experts—as part of its larger recent focus on the Coney issue.
The initiative will "feature a global Web-based call for ideas, and a charrette (an intense design workshop) featuring international amusement and design experts from Tivoli Gardens in Denmark, Broadway theater in New York City, and former Disney executives," the group said in a release.
The civic group has previously been rather critical of the city's plan, saying the proposed amusement zone of nine acres is rather small (here's the detailed, 17-page testimony).
"We are not aware of any other amusement areas of a comparable scale that come close to achieving the number of visitors that is the market for a revitalized Coney Island or even Coney Island today," the group said in testimony this summer.
Results are due back Nov. 17. Release below.
MAS GATHERS TOP WORLD DESIGNERS TO
DEVELOP NEW IDEAS FOR VISION FOR CONEY ISLAND
Effort Seeks to Identify Designs, Uses & Events
for Long Term and Interim Development Period
The Municipal Art Society, working with a team of world-class architects, amusement designers and economists, will launch an initiative to develop new ideas for the design and programming of Coney Island this Monday, October 27 2008.
Titled "Imagine Coney," the new initiative will feature a global Web-based call for ideas, and a charrette (an intense design workshop) featuring international amusement and design experts from Tivoli Gardens in Denmark, Broadway theater in New York City, and former Disney executives.
MAS hopes that by leveraging global ideas and creativity it can help identify the novel uses that will spark new life in Coney Island and build on the remarkable strides Mayor Bloomberg has made toward a revitalized Coney Island. The charrette team will draw from creative and entrepreneurial ideas submitted during public workshops and on a Web-based call for ideas that will be open to all.
The team will participate in a briefing session on Coney Island on Monday, October 27 from 9 am - 12 pm with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, the Coney Island Development Corporation, the Department of City Planning, Coney Island USA, the Astella Development Corporation, the New York Aquarium, Creative Time, and other groups and local stakeholders. The team will return on November 13 and 14 for the charrette, and the results will be publicly presented on November 17.
16 Park Avenue
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sadly, the prospects for Coney are doomed by the nearby housing projects.
the area has long been depressed and unsafe and until the projects disappear its prospects remain dim
the wiseking, I respectfully disagree. In NYC because of rent control/stabilization, public housing and other variables we have rich and poor living next door to each other. Just look at the Fulton Housing Project in Chelsea, now surrounded by luxe properties such as the Maritime Hotel across the street. The only problem for the residents of the housing project is the block of stores they used to patronize are all losing their leases.
Thor Equities and Taconic's plans to build condos in Coney is fueled by luxury condos in Brighton beach like the Oceana
Perception, it's always about what people perceive and not reality. For wiseking are you even aware that the projects are from 20th st down? Hardly in the amusement zone. There's a common misconception that what you see on 12st between Surf and Neptune are projects! They are not! Luna Park Houses are not NYC projects. The problem here is a developer looking to turn a quick buck with no regards to the amusement zone or history. Do we really want to compromise the last c7 amusement zone left in New York City? And for what shopping and condos?
Im also a coney island resident (Sea Gate). The city is attempting something great here, and its going to be a real process to find the right solution for the new developments. Im glad that MAS has commented on the process, personally I was hoping to hear something from PICCED/PRATT but nada.
Im a big supporter of renewable energy on beachfront property but it has a large capital cost - I dont expect the developers to be able to do this alone, but either the city or ConEd could provide joint-venture funding.
I understand Sitt's (Thor) perspective as the developer, and I think residential markets will cool soon, making his quick buck less easy. Unfortunately this developer is not experienced with world-class entertainment facilities, so we really need someone else to lead that effort.
To the state congressman and all the protestors - "go back to Jersey!!". But seriously, how can you stand in the way of such a great cause? There is alot of money getting thrown around by frauds, and alot of special interests at hand here. The place is a mess, the food is disgusting except for nathans, and violent crime is still high because there are so many vacant lots. We need to get the different stake holders cooperating if any progress is going to get made. I have never been to Atlantic City - and I have no desire to. But we could share some of their successes: casinos, hotels, amusements, and entertainment.
In closing - I hope they balance all the critical elements including sustainable design, "honky-tonk" or burlesque character (this aint disney world!), and I hope it can still be relatively affordable - UN-gentrified - unfortunately this is rarely the case. How could they sell hot-dogs for a nickel and build an empire....?
There is an old 1909(?) aerial view perspective map of
Coney Island.Notice how many different size lots and businesses there are.Each lot owned by a different owner and occupied by a different,independent entrepenuer.This is our guide.When you have a matrix of small lots,medium lots,and big lots-with different owners,it creates a variety of ideas and buildings,and this greatly increases the chance of a valuable/unique business that attracts the attention of the public(and their money).Sometimes one small little quirky bussiness will keep a street alive.Look how the ma and pa idea of the "hot dog" has kept Coney alive and well,not to mention all the jobs it has created as well.
It is paramount that all existing ma and pa businesses and buildings in the current amusement area be protected.These are gold,and their presence will help any future new businesses that open up shop.
The future of Coney Island should not be decided by a few "amusement design firms" or mega developers.They can still buy a lot and do what they want,but they should have to do it side by side with
hundreds of ma and pa's.No one developer should command a whole street front,they can have the air rights,but,the street front should be a detailed quilt of independantly owned amusement businesses.A good sybiotic relationship for an economic dynamo and a good time.
END PART ONE
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