Death of Astroland: Iconic Rocket Part 2

by Rubys Host | January 30, 2009 at 02:08 pm

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This past month we all learned the Iconic Astroland Rocket may be sold for scrap if a new home had not been found before Thor Equities took over the land. That day has come and gone. The rocket was down to the last count. It had to be moved. On a rainy Wednesday afternoon in the adjacent NYC Aquarium's parking lot Carol Hill Alberts donated the rocket to NYC. President Marty Markowitz, NYC Planning Commissioner Amanda Berdon, Deputy Mayor for Economics Robert Lieber and City Councilman Domenic Recchia Jr. accepted the rocket for the "Future Coney Island Amusement Park". The rocket will be held in storage at Stapleton Homeport in Staten Island, NY. Will the beloved rocket remain in storage for 10, 20 years before it is returned to Coney Island?

The question's remain with the rezoning of Coney Island from a C7 status to "Parks Land". The amusement district will be taken down to only 9 acres. That is about the space needed just for the Cyclone & Wonder Wheel if next two each other. The city has had 6+ years to stop Thor Equities from acquiring the land. Instead President Marty Markowitz was to involved with a new outdoor Amphitheater in Brighton Beach (1/2 mile away)that most of the community does not want. The new design has been affectionalty named the "Plastic Potato Chip" and cost roughly $64 mil. It appears Marty would rather use his efforts to have $64 mil for a potato chip than protect the main center section of Coney Island. (W 15th - Stillwell Ave).

http://coneyrocks.blogspot.com/

The next meeting regarding Coney Island: MAS - NYC Tuesday Feb 3rd at 6:30 - Free to public check out MAS.org web site

REZONING MTGS: Feb. Feb 25th - Brighton Beach Rezoning - Meeting at CI Hospital Auditorium

March 3rd - Coney Rezoning Hearing - Meeting at Lincoln High School Auditorium.

There are supposed to be 2 Board Hearings for Coney. The Community Board deadline for their recommendation is March 30th. The March 3rd hearing is a tentative date thus far, but I expect there will be 2 hearings in March. Then it goes through Marty, City Planning, and City Council, with a bunch more public meetings.

Interesting Developments on Friday Jan 30th from Mayor Bloomberg Office.

The city has now unveiled their plans for the rezoning of Coney Island. The city's approval process will take about a year and a half. The process began on Tuesday, January 20, when the Department of City Planning (DCP) met to review - for the first time - the New York City Economic Development Corporation's (EDC) proposed $2.5 billion rezoning plan for Coney Island.

Under the EDC plans for Coney a 19 block area would be rezoned to allow for large scale (hotels, malls etc) development while limiting their height to only 27 stories. About the height of the Parachute Drop. This woud also inlcude a "New" 27 acre amusement area with indoor and outdoor rides with 12 acres for a park area. "Wonder Wheel Way" would connect from the Cyclone to the Parachute Drop mainly thru the Bowery and Surf Ave. Behind the boardwalk .

Why has the city waitited so long to unveil their proposal for Coney Island. Coney Island currently has 27+ arcres designated thru the C7 zoning for rides. The current acres could be indoor or outdoor.

The planning department will hold a series of hearings on the proposal before sending it the local community board and the borough president's office (Marty Markowitz) for approval. After that, the City Planning Commission and City Council must vote to approve the project.

Meanwhile Thor Equities is continuing to buy more property in Coney Island. The city has not mentioned "their coninuted negotiations to buy back part of the land from Thor for their vision of Coney".

THE IRONIC FRIDAY CONSLUSION happened about 3 pm on when Mayor Bloomberg held a press conference regarding the City's economics and budget cuts. The Mayor wants to cut the city's Capital Plan for 5 years or more than $ 6 billion by 30%.

The Capital Plan consist of projects such as roads, police stations and the city's economic development. The revitalization of Coney Island and the development of the Atlantic Yards just happen to be on top of that list that equals to 20% reduction enacted last year that is suppose to be spread out over a 4 year period.

http://www.observer.com/2009/real-estate/city-capital-plan-would-shrink-30-mayor-s-budget

http://www.brooklyndowntownstar.com/pages/full_story?article-City-Unveils-Plan-for-Coney-Island-_=&page_label=home_top_stories_news&id=1826615-City-Unveils-Plan-for-Coney-Island-&widget=push&instance=home_news_right&open=

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Rubys Host

at 14:32 on January 30th, 2009

http://gothamist.com/2009/01/29/astroland_rocket.php
http://www.gowanuslounge.com/2009/01/29/coney-rocket-moves-to-aquarium-park-lot-officials-pose/

http://gothamist.com/2009/01/27/coney_island_amphitheater_rendering.php

lefty_liberated

at 14:48 on January 30th, 2009

Is 9 acres really that small? What is the current C7 zoning size again? Ok looks like its 15 acres right now. So basically we're losing close to half the land for amusement parks.

Great continued coverage.

P.S. Re-reading the story about the amphiteater really does make it sound like irresponsible spending at this time.

Rubys Host

at 15:01 on January 30th, 2009

The current zonning for Amusments is not just the land that Astroland sat on - the land consiste of Deno's Wonder Wheel (& Rides- games) All of Astroland, the kiddie park behind Deno's - and the game area - the Bowery - It origianlly was suppose tobe saved at 17 when negotiations started with Thor 6 years ago. Basically all of W15 - behind the boardlwalk buildings to STillwell Ave - - Currently there are 26 + acres.

Coney Island History Project

at 16:24 on January 30th, 2009

The Coney Island History Project assisted in find a home for the Rocket. We received interesting proposals from groups and individuals in NYC, NY State, neighboring states, and even an amusement park in Pakistan. But we really wanted to keep the Rocket in Coney Island.

This press statement from Carol Albert that we sent out said:

Astroland Donates Rocket to City of New York

In a ceremony at noon today, Carol Hill Albert, co-owner of Astroland, donated Astroland’s most famous icon, the 71 foot Astroland Rocket to the City of New York. Robert Lieber accepted the rocket on behalf of the City Economic Development Corp.

Mrs. Albert said “This one of a kind Rocket simulator was the very first ride to arrive at Astroland Park, when it was founded by my late father in- law Dewey Albert in 1962. My husband Jerome and myself are donating this in his honor and on behalf the Coney Island History Project. It is especially fitting that this Rocket, which was the first to arrive, will be the last item to leave Astroland Park. On the sad occasion of closing Astroland, which has been Coney Island's largest amusement park for 47 years, my husband Jerome and I are heartened to know that the City will be displaying the Rocket in a prominent location as part of the new Coney Island where it can continue to educate and entertain.”

A bronze plaque inscribing the Rocket donation is honor of Dewey Albert, Astroland’s founder will be attached sometime in the next few months.

Info on the Rocket's history is posted on the Coney Island History Project's website: http://www.coneyislandhistory.org/news/?p=45

Sarah Is Rad

at 16:32 on January 30th, 2009

warrenstilwell

at 17:43 on January 30th, 2009

Picture I contributed was taken on May 2006 It was a warm afternoon and the boardwalk was teaming with activity. The sub was bright and the sky was blue. In my wildest dreams I never imaged they would tear down such an iconic Space Age (and yet so retro) landmark that we call Astroland. Not even the fire of July '75 could keep you down. You gave us the Cyclone encouraged us to walk on the board walk and play on the beach. September 7, 2008 the lights went out. RIP: Astroland 1962 -2008 We'll miss ya!

warrenstilwell has contributed a photo to this story.

christopher spinelli

at 18:35 on January 30th, 2009

I will always remember Coney Island the way I saw it on the last day of Astroland when my photo was taken. Coney Island has always been one of my favorite spots in the world. It calls across the ages to a simpler time before cell phones and I-Pods. It awakens childhood memories long since unstirred. I can only hope that some of that feeling will remain.

christopher spinelli has contributed a photo to this story.

lefty_liberated

at 19:16 on January 30th, 2009

Hey everybody there's a new flickr group from where you can add your photos of the park and anything in Coney Island. Though the group wants to prove that there's still life in the area they also want photos of the past.

http://flickr.com/groups/coneyislandisaliveandkicking/

bryn meadows

at 21:12 on January 30th, 2009

Coney Island always seemed so unreal to me... a magical beachside wonderland, a time warp. I had only seen it in movies and photos- I'm from the west coast of Canada, I should mention.

I went there last week, while I was on a trip to New York. Everything was pretty much closed for the winter, of course- which was fine, I was there to take pictures. there is something really great about taking photos in an empty amusement park... anyways, it was just like I thought it would be. a fading beauty, a wonderous and slightly sketchy playground.

I hope that it stays that way- some respect for the past, for heritage. we don't need everything new and shiny. there is a lot of magic in nostalgia.

lefty_liberated

at 16:12 on January 31st, 2009

re: update - I can see why you speculate about when the rocket will ever come back to the area....Budget cuts could leave projects looking like the T line subway for second avenue that's been in the works since....

The need for a subway line under Manhattan's Second Avenue was realized shortly after theFirst World War. In 1919, New York's Public Service Commission launched a study at the behest of engineer Daniel L. Turner to determine what improvements were needed in the city's public transport system. The Second Avenue Elevated operated above Second Avenue north of the Queensboro Bridge until 1940 and south to downtown until June 13, 1942[9].....

In 1929, the Board of Transportation of the City of New York tentatively approved the expansion, which included a Second Avenue Line with a projected construction cost of $98,900,000, not counting land acquisition. From north to south, the 1929 plan included four tracks from the Harlem River (where it would continue north as a Bronx trunk line with several branches) to125th Street, six tracks from 125th Street to a link with the IND Sixth Avenue Line at 61st Street, four tracks from 61st Street to Chambers Street, and two tracks from Chambers Street to Pine Street....

...Due to the Great Depression, the soaring costs of the expansion became unmanageable....

Coney Island History Project

at 10:32 on February 1st, 2009

thanks so much for posting info about the new flickr group, lefty

I want to clarify the purpose of the group "Coney Island is Alive & Kicking and Welcomes Visitors in 2009!"

Photo subjects must be existing attractions or businesses. Photos can be from recent years as well as 2009. For example, that means a photo that shows anything that was closed, for example (Astroland), removed (the Rocket), does not yet officially have a lease or whose future is in question for 2009 (most Boardwalk businesses, the Astro Tower) is not eligible for inclusion!

The group was started because every day we come across news reports and miscaptioned photos that make people think the Cyclone, Wonder Wheel, Sideshow and everything else closed forever on Sept 7, 2008. It's not true! We send out emails explaining that we are devastated by the loss of Astroland but Coney Island will indeed be open for business in 2009. The images in the group should call out to people--Coney Island is alive and kicking, please visit!

We have a list of "Coney Island attractions that will *definitely* be open in 2009" in our flickr description (bottom of page). We will update the list as info becomes available.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/coneyislandisaliveandkicking/

Enjoy!

Rubys Host

at 07:29 on February 4th, 2009

THe New York Times chimed in today on the redevelopment of Coney Island. THey are against Hotels, Condos being built on Surf Ave at Stillwell. "The new Coney Island should not be a theme park. No Six Flags or Disney World. It should be an alluring adaptation of Dreamland and Luna Park and the other exotic places that always made Coney Island splendidly odd, a New Yorker’s kind of unreality."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/opinion/04wed4.html?ref=opinion