NYC to Give Coney Island a Whirl

After years of often bitter wrangling among factions with differing agendas and plans, it appears that there may be some real momentum to finally redevelop Coney Island. According to the New York Times, the City of New York will pay $95.6 million for a seven-acre parcel of land along the fabled boardwalk. Developer Joseph Sitt, who has been sitting on prime Coney Island real estate and had his own restoration plans, agreed to sell the property. Sitt will retain an adjacent parcel and hopes to build hotels and other venues to capitalize on a resurrected Coney Island.

The city wants a temporary amusement vendor (perhaps reopening the door to the former owners of Astroland?) to keep the Island hopping for the next few years while it seeks a developer, or perhaps a number of developers, to help remake the landmark seaside amusement area. It's unclear what impact the redevelopment would have on Deno's Wonder Wheel Park or other existing attractions.

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• Wonder Wheel at Coney Island Ride Review

Photo: Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, home of the landmark Ferris wheel, is located near the Cyclone roller coaster.