Authorizes the city of New York to discontinue use of and transfer certain parklands in furtherance of a development plan for Coney Island

BILL NUMBER:S6298A

Title of bill

An act to authorize the city of New York to discontinue the use as parkland of parcels of real property in the borough of Brooklyn in exchange for the dedication of certain other lands in the borough of Brooklyn for park purposes in furtherance of a comprehensive development plan for Coney Island

Summary of provisions

This bill authorizes the city of New York to discontinue permanently the use as parkland 9.3 acres of land on two parcels that currently operate as a parking facility for the Brooklyn Cyclones, a minor league baseball team owned by the Mets, and the indoor Abe Stark skating rink, in Coney Island, in the Borough of Brooklyn. This authorization is subject to the requirement that the city of New York shall dedicate additional acreage as park land adjacent to the existing park land.

This bill would also authorize the City of New York to enter into a long-term lease for the development and long-term management of portions of the replacement parkland as an amusement park.

Reasons for support

In connection with the proposed Comprehensive Coney Island Redevelopment Plan, this legislation would allow the City to alienate and improve two parking lots that support KeySpan Park during baseball season (but are dormant the rest of the year) through the development of residential buildings with ground-floor retail pursuant to the proposed zoning by private developers to be determined by the city. Currently, 18.2 acres of land along the Riegelmann Boardwalk is mapped as parkland. This area includes KeySpan Park, its parking lots and the Abe Stark skating rink. The redevelopment of these parking lots is vital to the creation of a new neighborhood, providing much-needed retail and housing opportunities for the 50,000 residents of Coney Island, creating new connections between the community and the beach and maximizing the value of Boardwalk fronting properties. The parking spaces currently located on these parcels would be replaced within the future development in multi-level garages. The Abe Stark skating rink would be relocated and replaced.

The 10.77 acres of replacement parkland will be composed of two parks: 1) a 9.37-acre Boardwalk fronting amusement park in the historic amusement area, and 2) a 1.40-acre Boardwalk fronting neighborhood park located directly adjacent to the proposed residential development.

Together, these parks add 1.47 more acres of improved parkland in Coney Island than exist today. Unlike the 9.3 acres currently used for parking that would be discontinued as parkland, all 10.77 acres of replacement parkland would be improved for recreation purposes.

The mapping of the amusement park is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve amusement uses in perpetuity in their historic location. The park would include without limitation amusement park features such as indoor and outdoor rides, arcades, attractions and ancillary uses including small-scale retail. The authorization to enter into a long-term lease would facilitate the development and operation of a long-term financially viable amusement park for generations to come. Coney Island is a unique place and the City is committed to improving the neighborhood as well as protecting, preserving and renewing Coney Island's legacy as the birth place of amusements and "the people's playground" for the people of Coney Island, New York City and the world.

Accordingly, the Mayor urges the earliest possible favorable consideration of this proposal by the Legislature.

Effective date

Immediately.