The 'People’s Playground,' Coney Island, finally gets a BID

‘Millions of people from all over the five boroughs, the state, tri-state area and the world come to Coney Island for a one-of-a-kind experience.’

The Wonder Wheel, one of the most famous landmarks in Coney Island and among the oldest operating Ferris wheels in the world.
Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman

CONEY ISLAND — A Business Improvement District has officially been ratified for Coney Island, the “People’s Playground.”

Spearheaded by the Alliance for Coney Island, it will be fully operational on July 1, the start of New York City’s new fiscal year.

For more than 40 years, BIDs have proven valuable partners in ongoing initiatives of neighborhood revitalization and economic development across the five boroughs. Currently, there are 76 BIDs in New York City, including 23 in Brooklyn.

A long time coming

Daniel Murphy, executive director of the Alliance for Coney Island, told the Brooklyn Eagle that this has been a desire of businesses and residents in Coney Island for decades. “It was first formally attempted almost a decade ago, in 2017,” Murphy said. “The map was a little too big; it was a huge endeavor.”

Dennis Vourderis, co-owner of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park and Alliance for Coney Island board member, at a recent press conference.
Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman

According to Murphy, the Alliance was in the planning stages — the first stage of creating a BID — but never got to the outreach portion. “It died of natural death, but COVID really put the kibosh on it,” he explained. “But the second time was the charm.”

In 2022, Alexandra Silversmith, former Alliance executive director, applied for a BID formation grant from the city of New York, which was offered by the NYC Department of Small Business Services. The Alliance was accepted for the grant.

“I stepped in soon after in January 2023 just as the steering committee was being formed,” Murphy noted.

A “steering committee,” the first step in establishing a BID, typically consists of key stakeholders, executives and community representatives that essentially “steer” the BID effort with oversight, direction and decision-making guidance.

The timeline for a BID averages two to five years from idea to operation.

BID objectives

Goals of the new Coney Island BID will be to enhance business and safety in the area and to revitalize Mermaid and Surf avenues with local retail and event promotions, in addition to cleaner and safer streets, Murphy said.

“The plan includes the development of two distinct business districts: the amusement area, focusing on entertainment and tourism, and the mermaid area, emphasizing local businesses and community spaces,” he said.

Murphy also spoke to the proposed boundaries for the BID. “It starts at the New York Aquarium — roughly West Eighth Street — and then heads to West 22nd Street on Surf Avenue, so the entire amusement district, east to west. It then connects to Mermaid Avenue through Stillwell Avenue and runs down Stillwell to West 33rd Street.”

A clean and safe Coney Island

Dennis Vourderis, co-owner of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park and an Alliance for Coney Island board member, told the Eagle that he is very excited about Coney Island’s new BID.

“This will ensure that the programs that the Alliance for Coney Island has started for the past 12 years will continue and grow and thrive,” Vourderis said. “Mermaid and Surf avenues are as important as the boardwalk, and with the BID, the commercial corridors will get the attention they deserve.”

Vourderis added that he believes events such as Friday Night Fireworks, the Sand Cculpting Competition and more will continue to enhance business as well, attracting visitors from New York City and the world. “The BID will also clean our streets and sidewalks and enhance security,” he said. “This way, when visitors come, they will experience a clean and safe Coney Island.”

Daniel Murphy, executive director of the Alliance for Coney Island, alongside Alliance members, volunteers and guests at its annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner.
Photo by Arthur De Gaeta

Looking forward, Murphy said if he were to have one vision in the next five to 10 years for the Coney Island BID, it would be the development in the amusement area, which has several underutilized lots.

“There are many small businesses that depend on that area being optimal for visitors,” he said. “Not to mention the millions of people from all over the five boroughs, the state, tri-state area and the world who come to Coney Island for a one-of-a-kind experience.”

A collection of independent businesses and attractions

Home to more than 350 businesses and 50,000 residents, Coney Island is a collection of independent businesses and attractions, including high-end restaurants, souvenir shops and amusement rides, smaller mom-and-pop delis, hair salons, barbershops and pharmacies, as well as schools and nonprofits.

The Alliance for Coney Island is a nonprofit organization created in 2012. Its purpose is to provide a vehicle for supporting, promoting and rejuvenating the iconic Kings County neighborhood.

Murphy described the organization as an alliance of businesses, residents and civic leaders. Board members include prominent Coney figures: Brooklyn Cyclones Vice President Steve Cohen, Nathan’s Famous Senior Director of Company Operations Bruce Miller and Gargiulo’s co-owner Michael Russo.