Theme park experts suggest contracting a single operator to manage Coney Island, but there's some push back from city officials who fear a loss of diversity and character.
"Mayor Bloomberg's hand-picked panel of amusement industry experts is urging the city to find a single operator to run a proposed new theme park for Coney Island, a controversial suggestion that would radically change the nature of the People's Playground, once the domain of a multitude of independent carnies and ride owners.
'The time is now to identify and select a single industry operator/developer to oversee the development,' the 'Coney Island Amusement Advisory Panel' said a statement issued yesterday. The 'blue ribbon' commission includes executives from Six Flags, Atlantic City's Steel Pier, and amusement parks in Wildwood, N.J.
Even though the suggestion for a single, Disney-like operator came from Bloomberg's own committee, city officials did not fully embrace the idea."
FULL STORY: Theme park experts urge city to ‘Disney-fy’ Coney
Revamped Coney Island Opens
A new amusement and entertainment section has opened at New York City's Coney Island. Long suffering from disrepair and neglect, the new development marks a turnaround. But some locals still object.
Planning for Resilience on Coney Island Creek
A case study in New York's response to the Hurricane Sandy flooding in the neighborhoods of Coney Island and Gravesend.
Coney Island's Facelift Manages to Keep the Wrinkles
A city led effort to revitalize Coney Island's famous boardwalk and amusements, started amid much angst from longtime business owners, has managed to achieve a delicate balance somewhere between Disney and seedy, writes Joseph Berger.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.
Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.
Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont