This panel discussion, from 9/17/2008, addresses the Development and Rezoning Plans for Coney Island and took place at the Municipal Art Society. MAS are trying to spearhead their own plans for the area, at odds with the NYC Department of City Planning. Who will get their way?

The City of New York’s Comprehensive Development and Rezoning Plan for Coney Island would reduce to 9 acres from 15, a city-owned open-air amusement park north of the Boardwalk between KeySpan Park and the New York Aquarium. It would transform the area into a year-round entertainment district, with abundant retail and as many as 5,000 apartments along Surf Ave. Following the presentation of the plan, a panel with varied perspectives responds to the city’s proposal. Moderators include Kent Barwick, president, Municipal Art Society; and Jonathan Bowles, director of the Center for an Urban Future. Participants include Dick Zigun, founder of Coney Island USA; Purnima Kapur, director, NYC Department of City Planning, Brooklyn Office; Lynn Kelly, president, Coney Island Development Corporation; Carol Hall Albert, owner, Astroland; Sheryl Robertson, director, South Brooklyn Youth Consortium. This event was held at the Municipal Arts Society.

The discussion runs 55 minutes.

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