Sad story
America tearing itself apart for the almighty dollar:
4-2-2007 Coney Island opens last season
NEW YORK - With the traditional crash of a bottle of egg cream, Brooklyn's borough president on Sunday launched the Coney Island amusement park's last season ahead of a major redevelopment that will raze much of the lovably boardwalk area.
Iconic Coney Island sites will remain. In addition to the roller coaster, the Wonder Wheel Ferris wheel and the Steeplechase parachute jump that, while no longer operational towers over the playground, are all protected from the wrecking ball by their U.S. national landmark status.
Hundreds of roller coaster enthusiasts, local characters, politicians and residents braved light rain and 40-degree (four degrees Celsius) temperatures for the annual opening of the world famous Cyclone roller coaster, marking its 80th year, at a ceremony tinged with poignancy.
"This is a very emotional day," said Carol Albert, whose family owns the 45-year-old Astroland park, home to the Cyclone and other thrill rides.
"It's breaking our hearts" to be closing the park, Albert said, but added that the plans would yield "a new, exciting and improved Coney Island."
The redevelopment of Coney Island is only the latest move to rehabilitate -- some would say ruin -- what are seen as New York's City less-reputable areas.
The residential components of Thor Equities' plan in particular have drawn critics' ire, including some 100 Coney Island devotees who rallied at City Hall on Friday.
"Coney Island has an amazing history that needs to be preserved," said Angie Pontini, Miss Cyclone 2007. "A luxury condo in the heart of the amusement district is not what people from around the world go to Coney Island to see."
America tearing itself apart for the almighty dollar:
4-2-2007 Coney Island opens last season
NEW YORK - With the traditional crash of a bottle of egg cream, Brooklyn's borough president on Sunday launched the Coney Island amusement park's last season ahead of a major redevelopment that will raze much of the lovably boardwalk area.
Iconic Coney Island sites will remain. In addition to the roller coaster, the Wonder Wheel Ferris wheel and the Steeplechase parachute jump that, while no longer operational towers over the playground, are all protected from the wrecking ball by their U.S. national landmark status.
Hundreds of roller coaster enthusiasts, local characters, politicians and residents braved light rain and 40-degree (four degrees Celsius) temperatures for the annual opening of the world famous Cyclone roller coaster, marking its 80th year, at a ceremony tinged with poignancy.
"This is a very emotional day," said Carol Albert, whose family owns the 45-year-old Astroland park, home to the Cyclone and other thrill rides.
"It's breaking our hearts" to be closing the park, Albert said, but added that the plans would yield "a new, exciting and improved Coney Island."
The redevelopment of Coney Island is only the latest move to rehabilitate -- some would say ruin -- what are seen as New York's City less-reputable areas.
The residential components of Thor Equities' plan in particular have drawn critics' ire, including some 100 Coney Island devotees who rallied at City Hall on Friday.
"Coney Island has an amazing history that needs to be preserved," said Angie Pontini, Miss Cyclone 2007. "A luxury condo in the heart of the amusement district is not what people from around the world go to Coney Island to see."