Changes on the Coney Island Boardwalk

Cement ramp to boardwalk replaces wooden pathway.  Is this the first of many others to come?

Work on the historic Childs Restaurant moves forward as the City Council approved the new amphitheater.

The Atlantic Express private bus company parked hundreds of buses here but now they are in bankruptcy.

The walkway that connected the beach to the subway line has been completely removed.  A new entrance to Brighton beach will be constructed.

Council Approves Plan To Make Concert Venue At Coney Island's Childs Restaurant » Sheepshead Bay News Blog

Sheepshead Bites » Blog Archive City Council Approves Plan To Make Concert Venue At Coney Island's Childs Restaurant » Sheepshead Bay News Blog

(Excerpt)
The New York City Council gave a parting gift to outgoing Borough President Marty Markowitz, greenlighting his proposal to create a new open-air auditorium, green space and restaurant at the former site of Childs Restaurant on West 21st Street and the boardwalk in Coney Island.

The Council voted in favor of a resolution supporting a 10-year special permit allowing the 5,099-seat amphitheater at its final meeting of the year yesterday, where the majority of the legislative body’s representatives will give up their seats to term-limits on December 31.

Related resolutions that also passed yesterday in order to make way for the project include creating a special zoning district, as well as the acquisition of land between West 21st Street and West 22nd Street, and the elimination of the street between West 22nd Street and West 23rd Street.

Bloomberg claims credit for Brooklyn successes

Time Short, Bloomberg Touts Successes in Brooklyn - NYTimes.com

"...Tuesday, the first day of Mr. Bloomberg’s valedictory tour across New York City, took him to Brooklyn, the borough that has grown and flourished like no other during his tenure. The occasion, the opening of the rink at the new Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Center, gave him a chance to reflect on his mayoralty: the parks he had opened (“a historic” effort), the crime rates (so low that “it just defies imagination”), even his attempts to learn Spanish."

Brooklyn Fire Kills Girl, 16, and Critically Injures Two

Brooklyn Fire Kills Girl, 16, and Critically Injures Two - NYTimes.com
A 16-year-old girl was killed and two women were critically injured in a fire that engulfed the two upper floors of their three-story home in Brooklyn early Friday morning, officials said.

MTA Video Release: Mayor Bloomberg Rides First 7 Train to 34 St - 12/20/...

Wait Until Next Year: City Council Tables Speed Limit Bill

Wait Until Next Year: City Council Tables Speed Limit Bill - WNYC

"Due to strong opposition to this life-saving legislation within the Bloomberg administration, I believe it will be more beneficial to reintroduce my legislation next year," said Councilman David Greenfield, the sponsor of the legislation.

Rebirth of legendary Childs Restaurant likely

Rebirth of legendary Childs Restaurant likely | Crain's New York Business
The City Council’s Committee on Land Use approved plans for an amphitheater, a public park and the restoration of a storied Coney Island restaurant along the boardwalk Wednesday morning. That step paves the way for the full council to green light the project on Thursday, during its last scheduled meeting of the year.
The proposal for the Seaside Park and Community Arts Center project is being advanced by both the city’s Economic Development Corp. and an iStar Financial subsidiary called Coney Island Holdings LLC. Under the plan, zoning laws would be altered and permits granted to allow for the construction of an outdoor amphitheater along the boardwalk near West 21st Street, that could accommodate 5,099 people. In addition, a public park would be built and the landmarked Childs Restaurant would be restored and reopened as an eatery and catering facility.
The proposal has the support of the local City Councilman Domenic Recchia Jr., D-Brooklyn, which means the proposal is likely to sail through the full council tomorrow, since the legislative body typically votes in concert with the local lawmaker.

“The improvements proposed in this project will undoubtedly restore this iconic structure’s use to the community, provide multiple cultural and educational benefits, and greatly contribute to the area’s ongoing cultural and economic revitalization,” Mr. Recchia said in a statement.
The amphitheater would be used for the free Seaside Summer Concert Series that was started by out-going Borough President Marty Markowitz, who also supports the project, as well as for paid concert events. In the off-season and between performances, it would be available for the community’s use. During the concert season, a removable cloth canopy would cover the area.
The proposal is also viewed as something that could stimulate more residential development in the area.
The park and community center are partially inside the Special Coney Island District, created in 2009 to help spur development both in a designated amusement section called Coney East, and new residential development in two areas called Coney North and Coney West.
Developer iStar Financial is set to construct a portion of more than 2,500 units of housing slated for Coney West, although the firm is waiting for the city to complete infrastructure improvements to accommodate the new units.
Before that happens, the firm saw the amphitheater and Childs Restaurant restoration as a means to make that area more enticing, iStar’s Karl Frey told the City Council hearing on Tuesday. In turn, he noted that would make the company’s residential development more viable.

Beyoncé - XO at Coney Island

Lincoln High School Football Team Wins Second City Championship Title In Three Years » Sheepshead Bay News Blog

Sheepshead Bites » Blog Archive Lincoln High School Football Team Wins Second City Championship Title In Three Years » Sheepshead Bay News Blog

Lincoln High School’s football team, the Railsplitters (an awesome name, by the way), snagged their second title in three years with a 28 to 27 win at the PSAL City Conference championship at Yankee Stadium last week.
The team bested Tottenville Pirates for the title, despite suffering its own setback: senior quarterback Javon Moore sprained his ankle during their first offensive play. He muscled through the game before heading to the hospital after the match.
“He was a warrior and battled through and made a play when he had to,” Lincoln coach Shawn O’Connor told the Daily News.
It was a tight game, in which Lincoln pulled ahead by one point with less than five minutes on the clock. We urge you to check out the Daily News article for the dramatic play by play.

Congratulations to Lincoln High School (2800 Ocean Parkway) and the Railsplitters!

Polar Bear Club storms Coney Island for a swim — one day after 5-inch snowfall

Polar Bear Club storms Coney Island for a swim — one day after 5-inch snowfall  - NY Daily News

The water at Coney Island was 41 degrees when 80 members of the winter bathing group inched their way in, club president Dennis Thomas said.

Peter O'Toole RIP

The greatest film credit of all time. #RIP pic.twitter.com/4Thqn1lWyn
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) December 15, 2013