City Takes Another Crack at New Coney Amusements

The Parks Department is again trying to lure operators of beachfront amusements in Coney Island. In contrast to the demolitions now underway by Thor Equities and its efforts to shrink the amusement zone by including housing, the Parks Department is soliciting bids from operators interested in operating rock-climbing walls, parasailing and other activities. A similar attempt last year failed to draw interest. The development is reported in today's Daily News:

Bids are due in mid-April, but agency officials couldn't say whether things would be up and running by summer. A similar request last year drew no respondents, but the agency has increased advertising and outreach efforts.

"We're not sure why we didn't get responses the last time around - it might have been a question of people seeing the ads too late," said Parks Department spokesman Eric Abramson, noting that the agency is also "talking it up" to current Coney Island business owners.

The hope is that what is currently a lightly used parcel in Steeplechase Plaza near KeySpan Park just off W. 19th St. will become an extension of the amusements east of Stillwell Ave.

Operators estimate the initial investment at about $1 million.