Culture

The last days of Coney and the way it was...........

by Eliud Martinez | July 7, 2007 at 10:38 am

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Not too far into the future folks will see images like this and say:....(sigh) remember when Coney Island still looked like that....? ......Coney is in its last days of looking like this.

Even as poor families struggle to pay for the high cost of fast food venders and amusement park rides and trinkets for their kids, deep pocketed developers have bought large parcels of this area and hope to parlay their investments into millions more. While Brooklynites are rightfully protesting and have kept the powers that be somewhat in check, Coney will never be the same....... Coney Island, NY, 05-07 This year's Mermaid parade was a beautiful and brave demonstration of what community's can do to bring art and political action together to educate fellow citizens.

Look at what happened to Times Square...... It's become a 'Disney-fied" corporate theme park that celebrates property rights and promotes a consumerist culture relatively unconcerned with authentic local color and community. You know, the worn seedy charm and romance of being someplace that still seems friendly and affordable......... You still with me....?

For Mermaid Parade and other Coney Island images see shortcuts below: http://www.flickr.com/photos/artedelares/sets/72157600584117640/">www.flickr.com/photos/artedelares/sets/72157600584117640/</a> and "http://www.flickr.com/photos/artedelares/sets/888721/">www.flickr.com/photos/artedelares/sets/888721/</a>

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Jordan Yerman

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 13:06 on July 7th, 2007

I had always hoped that Coney Island was too far in the sticks for the developers to notice, but I guess not. The area will be slow to develop, as it's not a conventionally attractive neighborhood; I can't help but hope that those developers lose their shirts, but one thing is true in NYC: property value always goes up.

Eliud Martinez

at 14:55 on July 7th, 2007

Thanks for reading and commenting. I know what you mean Jordan. I somehow feel that relative to other US cities (and major world capitals), NYC has never quite developed its waterfront areas and Brooklyn seems to be heading in that direction. For example they have recently committed to develop parts across from Manhattan to create a super cruiseline docking complex that will gentrify a huge area of poor and working class neighborhoods. Urban redevelopment is inevitable. Hopefully it can also be a good thing but I just think that activists and regular folks have to get smart about this and wring as many concessions and options from local government and developers to ensure that our urban areas stay diverse and economically viable into the future. Here's to all of us...cheers, Eliud