Coney Island Businesses Could Lose Their Leases
Monday, Aug 9, 2010 | Updated 11:33 AM EDT
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Several kitschy Coney Island mainstays are facing a new battle to keep their home.
Eleven Coney Island boardwalk institutions, including "Shoot the Freak," Lola Staar Boutique, Ruby’s Bar and Cha Cha’s club – received letters last week telling them to document evidence that justifies having their leases renewed for next summer, the New York Post reported today.
The letters, penned by Italian amusement designer Zamperla’s New Jersey subsidiary, Central Amusement International, threatens to boot the businesses if they don't submit business models outlining potential upgrades and marketing plans, the Post reported.
The New York Post says Zamperla is on track to replace Thor Equities developer Joe Sitt as the most controversial figure on Coney Island. Sitt has bought 10 acres of Coney Island property over the last five years, promising his own version of a flashy new neighborhood, complete with malls, hotels and state of the art amusement rides.
In 2008, he helped force the closure of the institution Astroland. Last year, New York City bought the Astroland site, the boardwalk business space and an adjacent Stillwell Avenue lot from Sitt.
The city also released a rezoning plan for a 19-block area of Coney Island, including a 27-acre amusement and entertainment district and, to the north and west of the district, almost 5,000 apartments and 500,000 square feet of retail.
Mayor Bloomberg said his plan would "return Coney Island to its former glory, ensure its future as a year-round destination for visitors and create a more livable, vibrant community for its residents."
