New Coney Island Business Improvement District aims to revitalize neighborhood beyond the boardwalk
After nearly a decade of advocacy and planning, the Coney Island Business Improvement District (BID) is officially moving forward, with leaders already outlining plans to improve the neighborhood for both businesses and residents.
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One of New York City's most popular tourist destinations is getting a major boost.
After nearly a decade of advocacy and planning, the Coney Island Business Improvement District (BID) is officially moving forward, with leaders already outlining plans to improve the neighborhood for both businesses and residents.
"It's been 10 years in the making," said Kalvis Mikelsteins, executive director of the Coney Island BID. "The perfect time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second-best time is today. And so now that we've got the BID, no time to waste. Let's get going."
While many visitors associate Coney Island with its amusement parks, boardwalk and beach, BID leaders say their mission is to highlight everything the neighborhood has to offer year-round.
"We'd love to see vacant storefronts filled with local businesses that are needed in the area," said Eddie Mark, district manager for Community Board 13. "There's not as many merchants as there should be."
A walk along Mermaid Avenue reveals some of the challenges the BID hopes to address, including empty storefronts, litter, limited security and a lack of streetscape improvements such as lighting.
With a roughly $1 million budget, the BID plans to focus on neighborhood beautification, sanitation, public safety, marketing and business advocacy.
Local business owners say attracting essential services is also a priority.
"A bakery, a fish market, a grocery store. That's it. That's what we need," said Dennis Vourderis, co-owner of Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. "They need their streets and sidewalks clean just to improve their quality of life."
In addition to supporting existing businesses along Surf Avenue and throughout the neighborhood, leaders say they want to ensure longtime residents benefit from the changes as well.
"Not just the businesses, but the residents who have lived here for a long time as well," Mikelsteins said. "I want to make sure that people show up and they're not just wowed by the amusement park, but they're wowed by everything you see in the neighborhood."
The BID's leaders say their goal is to create a cleaner, safer and more vibrant Coney Island that supports local businesses while showcasing the community beyond its famous attractions.
