Coney Island's future hangs in the balance as residents and officials tussle over a proposed $3 billion casino and resort dubbed "The Coney." A public hearing, recently held at a local YMCA, displayed the community's division with vocal opponents and proponents voicing their strong opinions. According to a CBS News New York report, signs like "Stop the Phoney" and "Yes to The Coney" punctuated the air as attendees took the microphone to praise or condemn the idea.
Despite the contention, Robert Cornegy, former City Council Member and founder of 610 Collective, underscored the community's support, stating they have garnered "oover 500 stakeholder meetings, 10,000 local signatures, 600 letters of support from NYCHA residents." He told NY1 that the proposal is community-backed. On the flip side, concerns were raised about the societal impact and the character of the neighborhood.
"What we're really being asked is to accept a future where our streets are privatized, our residents are displaced, and everything that makes Coney Island ours is traded for the profit of the developer," a local resident lamented during the hearing, as per the CBS News New York report.
The developers have big plans for the complex, which include a 500-room hotel, a convention center, and a concert venue. They believe such a development would transform Coney Island into a year-round destination. Peter McEneaney, vice president of Thor Equities, told NY1, "How do we transform and work within the existing framework that is there today and make Coney Island a year-round destination?" Businesses behind "The Coney" predict the project will generate over 10,000 jobs, including 4,000 construction jobs and 4,500 union jobs.
While the project promises economic benefits and job creation, detractors doubt the quality of employment opportunities. Cathy Phillips, an opponent, questioned the nature of the jobs, saying to NY1, "Are [the jobs] going to have security? Are they going to have benefits so that you can support your family?" In addition, concerns about safety and the proximity of the proposed casino to schools were raised. "Nowhere in history has there ever been a casino one block away from our schools," Nsowaa Stewart said to NY1 in opposition to the plan.
The controversial proposal's fate rests with the Coney Community Advisory Committee, consisting of various local official representatives, including Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and City Councilmember Justin Brannan. This committee will deliberate further before voting on September 30th. Residents are encouraged to submit written statements until that deadline, with the state expected to decide which applicants will receive gaming licenses by the end of the year. The CBS News New York article notes the hearing was rife with interruptions, while developers maintained that the casino complex would be a major economic engine for the area.
