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.

2 minute read

July 20, 2012, 12:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


As the birthplace of the American amusement industry (and the hot dog!), Coney Island is sensitive to its history and its place as an accessible refuge for the full spectrum of classes, colors, and cultures that make up New York's exotic melting pot. So when the city of New York, and a new amusement partner Central Amusements, began efforts to refurbish Coney Island a few years ago, many were guarded about the aims and outcomes of such an effort.

"Skeptics who feared that replacing or freshening the woebegone Boardwalk
shops, restaurants and rides would mean the Disneyfication of Coney
Island - a swapping of its distinctive sizzle for a more standardized
glitz - may have to wait awhile to see their fears realized," writes Berger. "While the
overhaul engineered by the city is evident throughout the seaside
neighborhood, Coney Island has so far avoided becoming too sanitized and
tidy, many patrons say."

Granted, the revitalization that has taken place thus far is a long way from the extravagant $1.5 billion makeover planned by developer Joseph Sitt as recently as three years ago, which would have dramatically changed the area. While Coney Island enthusiasts were right to fear the encroaching transformation of Coney Island that Sitt's plan promised, the recent effort, "has been developed in a manner consistent with Coney Island's history," said Seth W. Pinsky, president of the Economic Development Corporation.

Thursday, July 19, 2012 in The New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

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.