Feeling the Heat: Sitt Softening on Astroland Closing Date?

Looks like developer Joe Sitt may be feeling some heat from all of the protests and concerns about his plan to close Astroland at the end of the 2007 season, possibly one-two years before any replacement project is approved. Mr. Sitt tells the New York Post that he is "'willing to keep Astroland open' - or some form of it - for at least the 2008 summer season if his project is delayed."

Opponents of his plan have recently keyed in on the possibility that he will demolish vast parcels of property and leave Coney Island bereft of activity for several years. Sitt, however, told the Post that "The last thing I want is for Coney Island to go dark."

The sticking point, of course, is Mr. Sitts demand for including luxury condos as part of his $2 billion redevelopment plan. There is strong opposition to rezoning the heart of Coney Island's "amusement district" to including housing.