This from NY 1:
Although the Stillwell Avenue subway station recently got a
multi-million dollar renovation, trash and graffiti are what greet
visitors to Coney Island once they get to the street. But developers
envision a grand new entrance for the area. Something like a tower of
water with a light show and an observation deck overlooking a
magnificent amusement park.“It’s this ‘wow’ of an introduction,” explained architect Stanton
Eskstut. “An orientation to everybody that well, you’ve just arrived,
wait until you see what else there is.”Eskstut has been hired by development company Thor Equities to help
transform ten acres along the Coney Island Boardwalk. Included in the
plans are movie theaters and an indoor water park, and the first major
roller coaster to be built in the city since the Cyclone in 1927. The
ride will take coaster enthusiasts through buildings.“What we’re sketching right now is to how to bring it into the
water park, bring it around the cinema lobbies, and integrate it around
the carousel,” said Eskstut.The carousel will be a three-story centerpiece with canopies
overhead and glass walls for use year round. The idea is to change
Coney Island from a seasonal to a year round destination, complete with
hotels, restaurants and stores.“It’s going to be a place that’s a constant show, where lights,
water, color, and sound is integrated throughout every corner, every
block,” said Eskstut.Developers say the new park will enhance the landmark rides and
provide a bridge between Keyspan Park on one end of the strip and the
New York Aquarium on the other. The aquarium will soon undergo its own
renovation. By year’s end a committee is expected to choose which of
three designs will become the new exterior for the aquarium.“The concept behind these designs is to find a way to enhance the
aquarium as the eastern anchor of Coney Island,” said Cynthia Reich of
the NY Aquarium.Planners for both projects say they will make sure the boardwalk is
incorporated into their plans. Thor Equities said creating its vision
could cost $1.5 billion and wants the approvals process to start early
next year so that construction can begin. The hope is to have a new
amusement park by the year 2011.
