The New York City Planning Commission recently weighed in on several key Brooklyn projects, including a divisive casino proposition for Coney Island that's stirring local controversy over community preservation versus economic development, with the plan awaiting further review by the city council.
At the heart of the debate is The Coney, a proposed casino and entertainment complex faced with opposition by locals fearing cultural loss, like Adam Rinn of Coney Island USA, who conducted a mock funeral for the iconic Mermaid Parade to underscore the threat to local traditions, and Marissa Solomon, a Coney Island Museum volunteer decrying the project as "The Phoney" due to potential increases in traffic and crime while speaking at a public hearing, as reported by BK Reader.
Proponents of The Coney, such as Robert Cornegy, argue the development would yield economic uplift with a promised 4,500 construction jobs and another 4,000 in gaming and hospitality; Cornegy told Gothamist, "The Coney is a project that is poised to uplift the entire community," supporting the venture alongside those like Community Board 13 member Anthony Batista who acknowledges the potential for a bigger project footprint but appreciates the job prospects, as the area struggles with a poverty rate higher than much of Brooklyn.
While the battle over The Coney plays out, the City Planning Commission approved separate rezoning plans for Atlantic Avenue and Empire Boulevard, promoting mixed-use developments projected to bring thousands of new apartments including affordable units, however, critics like Community Board 9's Alicia Boyd express concerns about displacement and gentrification in central Brooklyn, the BK Reader reports, the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan alone is expected to create about 2,800 new jobs due to its passage, while the Empire Blvd project by Bridges Development Group includes affordable housing and seeks to revitalize the community, per developer Michael Berfield.
The future of The Coney project is uncertain as city planning commissioners are set to vote on it this spring. Proposals for the project are also due to the state's Gaming Facility Location Board in June, with decisions expected by the end of 2025.
