http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article...FREE/904089992
Coney Island 'marketplace' unveiled
Developer Thor Equities wants to bring hundreds of food and crafts vendors in the summertime to beef up warm-weather rides and sideshows at former Astroland Park.
By Daniel Massey
April 8, 2009
While the battle between Thor Equities and the city over the future of Coney Island continues, the developer on Tuesday announced the second piece of a summer plan to make use of its 10 acres of empty land in the area.
A five-tent marketplace featuring hundreds of local artisans and food vendors will set up shop on Thor’s property, including Brooklyn-based designers who will sell original work inspired by Coney Island.
The popular food vendors from Red Hook Park—who serve up Latin American fare ranging from Salvadoran pupusas to Mexican huaraches—have also signed on to be part of the market’s culinary component, according to Thor president Joe Sitt.
Live entertainment will take place every Saturday and Sunday, including local musicians and deejays.
The announcement comes a week after Thor outlined plans to bring dozens of summertime rides and side shows to the former Astroland Park site this summer. It follows the release of details on a competing Bloomberg administration plan to construct a temporary amusement facility on land already controlled by the city.
The rides and marketplace will create a “Festival by the Sea” that the developer claims will create 800 seasonal vendor jobs and 200 additional positions.
“We have put together a comprehensive plan that will revitalize the area and entertain, thrill and delight the millions of visitors to Coney this summer,” Mr. Sitt said.