http://www.nypost.com/seven/04042009...ock_162854.htm
BOARDWALK ROCK
CITY PUSH FOR CONEY CONCERTS
By RICH CALDER
April 4, 2009
The city is in talks with the nation's top concert promoter to bring major acts to the Coney Island beach this summer that could draw 100,000 people, The Post has learned.
Live Nation -- which promotes A-list acts like Madonna, U2 and Elton John -- is negotiating with the Bloomberg administration about staging performances at the rundown seaside amusement district reeling from the recent loss of Astroland Park, sources said yesterday.
The concerts would probably be held along the sands between West 10th and 12th streets.
Other parts of the world-famous beachfront are also being considered for three operas in September, and other events, including the possible return of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour.
Julius Spiegel, borough commissioner for the Parks Department, confirmed that the city "would love to have Coney Island host beachfront concerts" but said no deals have been set.
A department spokesman later said the city has been in talks with concert promoters about hosting seaside shows.
He declined to say whether Live Nation is the favorite, and the promoter did not return phone messages.
The department is working with NYC & Company, the city's marketing and tourism group, on finding ways to boost tourism in Coney Island this summer.
Besides the loss of Astroland, many businesses currently are unable to open because of much-needed repairs being done to a decaying boardwalk. The amusement district kicks off its new season Sunday with the opening of the Cyclone roller coaster, Deno's Wonder Wheel Park and other amusements.
Chuck Reichenthal, district manager of Brooklyn Community Board 13 in Coney Island, said he hopes the city works out a deal for beachfront concerts, saying it would drum up much needed business.
"I think the concerts and the operas would be great," Reichenthal said. "Anything that is going to get people here."
Coney Island historian Charles Denson said he was unaware if any operas had been held on the beach but said the Steeplechase Pier hosted "spectacular concerts" with large orchestras as late of the mid 1960s. He said he feels an opera with an ocean theme like Gilbert & Sullivan's hit "HMS Pinafore" would work best.
Summer concerts are held at nearby Asser Levy Park on the Coney Island-Brighton Beach border, and Borough President Marty Markowitz is proposing building a $64 million 5,000-seat amphitheater at the site.
The project is under fire from local groups who claim it's too close to a residential neighborhood and would cut into a popular lawn area that would be revitalized and set aside for 3,000 additional removable seats.
"If they can put concerts on the beach, they certainly don't need to take away scarce green space a few blocks away," said Geoffrey Croft, president of NYC Park Advocates