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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 115-09
March 11, 2009

STATEMENT BY MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ON FIRST PUBLIC APPROVAL OF CONEY ISLAND REVITALIZATION PLAN

Brooklyn Community Board 13 Vote to Approve the Plan Concludes First Phase of Uniform Land Use Review Procedure

Plan Now Proceeds to Office of the Borough President, City Planning Commission and the City Council

"Coney Island is one of New York City's most treasured neighborhoods, but after decades of disinvestment and abandonment, it's been left with vacant lots and an amusement district that's dwindled to just three acres. It's time to reverse that trend.

"Tonight the local Community Board voted to approve the City's plan to capitalize on Coney Island's existing assets, preserve its character and spur investments that will restore its heyday. The City's plan will expand the amusement district to 27 acres - featuring a modern 12-acre amusement park along the boardwalk made permanent through a designation as parkland, and another 15 acres of open and enclosed entertainment space that will include rides, arcades, restaurants and other attractions.

"No less important, the plan will support Coney Island's diverse neighborhood outside the amusement district by producing 4,500 new housing units - including 900 targeted to low- and middle-income New Yorkers - and by creating more than 6,000 permanent and 25,000 construction jobs. We'll also build a new neighborhood park and generate more than $14 billion in economic activity.

"While input from the Community Board will no doubt strengthen the plan throughout the process, some of the recommendations made are counter to the plan's goals, such as doing without the designation of parkland, which would prevent the amusement district from being permanent and reduce the amount of housing, retail and open space we can create outside of it.

"But the overall message the Community Board has sent by voting to approve the City's plan is clear: Coney Island needs comprehensive revitalization, and the time to do it is now."







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser / Andrew Brent   (212) 788-2958




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