Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom In Chicago
sadly for those who are interested in keeping Coney the rank shithole that it has been of late, they're on the losing side of the battle. . .
|
They're up against a tidal wave now...
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...t1OHQD99OBABO2
NYC council votes in favor of Coney Island renewal
By VERENA DOBNIK
Quote:
NEW YORK — The New York City Council has approved Mayor Michael Bloomberg's plan to redevelop Coney Island, turning the Brooklyn beachfront area into a year-round entertainment complex.
The council voted overwhelmingly Wednesday in favor of the plan. Coney Island would get a new amusement park, high-rise hotels, restaurants, retail stores, movie theaters and the city's first new roller coaster since 1927.
|
http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categor..._id=5&id=29950
Coney Coalition Approves Amended Plan
by Linda Collins
08-04-2009
CONEY ISLAND — Following the vote last week by the New York City Council to approve an amended Coney Island Redevelopment Plan, the Coney Island for All Coalition, which had demonstrated against it, reports it supports the amended version and praises the council for its efforts.
“We believe this plan now provides the good jobs and increased affordable housing that will benefit the Coney Island community,” said Matt Ryan of New York Jobs with Justice, one of the coalition’s members. “The struggle over Coney Island’s future underscores the need for a city-wide responsible development policy that follows the basic principal that development must deliver good jobs, truly affordable housing and respond to community needs.”
The coalition — which also includes ACORN, SEIU 32BJ, RWDSU, the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, UFCW Local 1500 and the Pratt Center for Community Development — praised the efforts of the city council, particularly its plan to secure more affordable housing and secure more jobs for residents.
Coney Island has been losing affordable housing at an alarming rate, but the city’s original plan only provided for 20 percent affordable housing, or 900 new affordable units to be built. The amended plan provides close to 35 percent affordable housing, income-tiered for deeper levels of affordability for local families who earn approximately half of the city-wide median income.
Additionally, the city estimates the redevelopment project will create as many as 25,000 construction jobs, and 6,000 permanent jobs at the amusements, hotels, retail and residential buildings.
“With the support of the City Council, a labor-community alliance secured good jobs and affordable housing for Coney Island,” said Mike Fishman, 32BJ president. “While the needs of working New Yorkers are often overlooked, the coalition made sure that the entire Coney Island community would benefit from redevelopment.”
Added Peter Ward, president of the Hotel and Motel Trades Council, “The Coney Island development plan will create unprecedented opportunities for the people who live and work in the community. We support a new Coney Island that includes affordable housing and good jobs where New Yorkers are given a voice in the workplace and are treated with respect and dignity.”
ACORN leader Carmen Gonzalez said of the revised plan, “We welcome the prospect of development and neighborhood revitalization that could ensure that our families will have a place to live and work in the new Coney Island with close to 35 percent affordable housing.”
The city’s amended plan also includes much-needed improvements to sewer and drainage infrastructure, which had been a major complaint for residents near the shore who experience frequent flooding and brownouts, and it incorporates important neighborhood amenities, including improvements to the hospital and public school, according to the coalition.