Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP / Getty Images
Major renovations are planned for the Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn, New York, as Mayor Eric Adams announced over $1 billion in funding for the project. The renovation will involve a complete reconstruction of the nearly three-mile-long Riegelmann Boardwalk, alongside improvements to nearby streets, sewers, and public spaces. The city aims to boost year-round economic activity in the area, which currently experiences seasonal slowdowns.
Mayor Adams, who started his career as a transit police officer in Coney Island, emphasized the importance of this project for the city's resilience to climate change. Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa stated, "This is a critical investment in our city’s resiliency to climate change." The project will be led by the city's Parks Department in collaboration with the Economic Development Corporation. It includes replacing utilities, structural piles, and elevating sections of the walkway.
Local business owners hope the renovation will address the lack of foot traffic during the winter months. Augustine Quiles, owner of Buck-it Sports Bar and Latin Grill, noted, "In the winter everything is closed so there’s nothing out here." The revitalization plan also includes constructing 1,500 housing units, with 25% designated as affordable housing, and a $42 million renovation of the Abe Stark Sports Center.
Although the timeline for the project is uncertain, the environmental review process is expected to extend into 2027, with capital funds earmarked through 2032. Business owners like Eldar Uguzov, who owns Rare Steak and Lobster Restaurant, are optimistic about the increased activity during and after the construction. Uguzov stated, "During renovation, a lot of people come in, a lot of tourists. This is good for everybody."
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