The Coney Island Development Corporation (CIDC) has announced that it will participate with a booth at IAAPA Attractions Expo, 2008, the world’s preeminent amusement industry convention, from November 18 to 21. It will be located at Booth 257 in the First Time Exhibitors Pavilion in the North/South Building, from Tuesday, November 18 to Friday, November 21.
This is the first step taken by the CIDC to gather information and make industry contacts that will help inform the creation of interim amusement plans and a future Request for Proposals (RFP) for a world class amusement park at Coney Island, Brooklyn.
As part of a comprehensive rezoning plan for Coney Island, the City has proposed mapping 9-acres as parkland to permanently preserve Coney’s historic amusement core. This area is planned as the centerpiece of the 60-acre comprehensive redevelopment effort by the City of New York to expand Coney Island’s fabled amusement area and create significant growth opportunities for the surrounding
neighborhood
"In anticipation of the rezoning, we are actively engaging with the amusement industry so that we can develop a thoughtful interim plan for the amusement district and then work toward an RFP that will appeal to world-class amusement operators, " said CIDC President, Lynn Kelly.
"Coney Island’s unique character begs for a forward-thinking operator, and there is no better place to start our search than at an event that attracts amusement companies from around the world."
The CIDC booth at the IAAPA Attractions Expo will focus on marketing Coney Island’s world-famous brand and highlighting the unmatched amusement development opportunities that will exist in the coming years.
"We want to restore Coney Island to its rightful place as a legendary amusement destination, with a wide range of new attractions that can
complement the historic Cyclone rollercoaster, the Wonder Wheel and the Parachute Jump, " said Ms. Kelly. "Coney Island presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for prospective amusement industry partners and is certain to generate a great deal of attention for our booth at the convention."
The Coney Island Development Corporation was established in September 2003 by the New York City Mayor, the City Council, and the Brooklyn Borough President and is charged with spearheading and implementing a comprehensive planning process for Coney Island and creating a coordinated economic development strategy for the area.
In 2007, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a new comprehensive rezoning and redevelopment initiative, which includes expansion of the entertainment district in addition to complimentary neighborhood investment beyond the amusement area. The rezoning initiative will enter andcomplete the formal City review process next year, after which the Coney Island Development Corporation and its City partners will commence active solicitation of proposals for both interim operations and permanent development of this historic amusement attraction.
