Coney Island/Astroland's Final Opening Day 4/1/07

http://domainofdeath3.com/coneyisland07.php

Here's my trip report for what was slated to be the last opening day of Coney Island's Astroland Amusement Park. Astroland was bought up by a developer who wants to turn the area into high scale condos, shopping, hotels, and a small amusement park. Astroland is of course home to the Cyclone roller coaster. Hope you like the review and the pictures!

what exactly will happen to the cyclone? why do parks keep getting sold to developers?! doesnt anyone have anything better to build than malls and condos?! the coaster is a national historic landmark.. they can't touch it, right?

Aggred the cyclone and maybe the park (im not sure on the park) but i know for sure they can't touch the cyclone. If they do ooh they are going to get it bad.

The Cyclone was registered as an historic landmark many years ago (in the mid-70s) when the nearby aquarium wanted the land to expand.

It was stopped then, it will be stopped again. Seriously, I doubt the land developer is even planning to build where the Cyclone is. Surely they already know that it's protected.

In fact, if they're smart, they'll use the Cyclone's proximity as a selling point.

Just re-read the original post: "shopping, hotels, and a small amusement park"

Duh. Cyclone stays.

Well as long as they son't touch it i'm ok.

Here's the story: The developer wants to build on Astroland and the surrounding areas which are designated for amusement rides. Their idea is to lessen the amusement area to 1/5 of the size (just to say they have an amusement park really) and fill the rest in with the condo/casino/mall/hotel complex. The complex is going to have a New Orleans theme no less (that makes a lot of sense to have that in Coney Island right?!) The Cyclone, Wonder Wheel, and I think Parachute Jump are all landmarks and can't be touched so they should stay unless something 'unforeseen' happens. The Cyclone will continue to be operated by the owners of Astroland I beleive.

The thing that worries Coney Island fans is that the developer who bought the cheaply priced amusement zones will get approval to turn the area into residential zones (something they are actively seeking) and then attempt to flip it for a profit; something that's been done in the CI area before.

I'll admit, Coney Island does need to be cleaned up and revitalized, but turning it into high scale, snobbish condos with a casino and elite class shopping ain't the way to do it. In any case the ambience, the brashness, and the attitude that made Coney Island what it is will be no more after 2008. That and The Million Dollar Breakdance and the "14 flips in a row" Top Spin will be gone!! [:(]