A major player has pulled ahead in the race to redevelop Coney Island as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a sweeping plan to revamp the storied but crumbling beachfront attraction.

Bloomberg’s call to “create a better future” for Coney Island focused on 19 blocks of the region located on the southern tip of Brooklyn and will create three new areas: Coney North, Coney West and Coney East. The plan also will add as many as 5,000 new housing units and approximately 500,000-sq-ft of retail space. Within the next 10 years, Bloomberg anticipates the redevelopment will lead to $2.5 billion in private investment while creating at least 3,000 permanent jobs and 20,000 construction jobs over the next three decades.

The mayor, with just over two years left in office, hopes to makes some headway before his term ends. “We really intend to follow through [with the Coney Island project] and do the hard work that will make this vision a reality,” he said.

To bring the mayor’s plan to fruition, city officials say they must acquire the 10 acres owned by Manhattan-based developer, Thor Equities, which has had plans of its own for Coney Island. Joe Sitt, founder of Thor Equities, purchased the land for $100 million in 2002 and has since been planning a $2 billion revitalization for the area.

“We’re disappointed by the Mayor’s presentation, but are optimistic that a deal can be reached between the city, the landowners and the community to make Coney Island an even greater place to live and visit,” said Sitt.

Although Sitt declined to comment on whether he will sell, hold or compromise on the 10 acres, his firm is committed to seeing a revitalized community and the land will be part of the negotiation process.

“We will continue to work with the Bloomberg Administration, [New York City] Councilman [Domenic] Recchia, Speaker [Christine C.] Quinn, our Albany representatives and local leaders to do what’s best for the people of Coney,” said Sitt.

One main difference in the two plans is the balance of the amusement portion to housing and retail. Although Thor’s plan also calls for the park’s rehabilitation, it is smaller and focuses more on entertainment and a grand hotel with Atlantic City-like sparkle. He has said he plans to include megaplexes, an indoor water park, restaurants and retail. Another difference is Bloomberg’s inclusion of affordable housing versus Thor’s focus on luxury residences, which Amanda Burden, chair of City Planning deemed inappropriate for the area in February 2007.

But Bloomberg may already have his mind made up regarding who is involved. “The city will work with existing landowners to acquire many of the properties,” he said.

Meanwhile, New York City Economic Development Corporation and the Department of Parks and Recreation have filed a Request for Proposals to restore the historic and iconic Bishoff & Brienstein Carousell on Surf Avenue.

“The restored B&B Carousell will be the centerpiece of a new, oceanfront public plaza called Steeplechase Plaza and will make a meaningful contribution to fulfilling the goals of the Strategic Plan, including historic preservation, expansion of cultural and amusement activities to make Coney Island a year-round destination, and providing a connection to Coney Island’s unique history,” said NYCEDC President Robert Lieber.

The B&B is the last remaining carousel on Coney Island, which in the amusement park’s heyday, had as many as 25 carousels.

MAS Dives Deeper into Moynihan

The Empire State Development Corporation recently announced the launch of the public review process in the Moynihan Station project.

“We invite members of the public to share their thoughts as we work with our partners to shape one of the most ambitious public works projects ever undertaken in New York,” said ESDC Downstate Chairman Patrick Foye. “The transportation improvements at the new Moynihan Station, and the commercial development that will accompany these enhancements, will benefit the entire State for generations to come.”

The new station will be within the James A. Farley Post Office and include rebuilding Penn Station as well as Madison Square Garden.

When designs for Moynihan Station were first proposed in 1999, and after many delays, the project team expected construction to start in 2006 and be completed by 2011 at the latest. After incurring even more delays, the project is currently slated for construction in 2008 and will continue until 2018.

“This station is a great opportunity for New York,” said Kent Barwick, president of the Municipal Art Society. “It will serve as a beautiful new gateway for the city, a catalyst to development on the West Side, and an unprecedented opportunity to create a new east/west transit connection.”

While supporting the project, the Municipal Art Society has voiced the importance of the public’s involvement and monitoring. “Without proper public oversight, however, it is an opportunity that could be wasted,” explained Barwick. “This project relies on $1 billion in public financing and will serve millions of residents and commuters the public must be fully involved in all aspects of planning.”

DOB Posts Industry Grades

Construction-related fatalities in New York City were cut by nearly half over the last year, according to statistics released today by the New York City Buildings Department.

The numbers were part of the department’s annual Safety Report Card, which provides an overview of accident, injury, and fatality data throughout the city’s five boroughs.

“[These] numbers demonstrate that the proactive safety and enforcement initiatives implemented during the last year are building momentum and having a positive effect on construction safety,” said Commissioner Lancaster.

But while construction-related fatalities dropped from 14 to eight over the last year, a dip of 43 %, injuries were nearly identical at 104, compared to 105 last year. Meanwhile, accidents on high-rise construction sites increased from 23 to 42, while low-rise sites saw a drop from 66 to 51.

Scaffold-related fatalities and injuries also dropped 83 % and 35 %, respectively, statistics that Lancaster attributes to the newly-created Suspended Scaffold Worker Safety Task Force and the industry’s overall commitment to safety.

Incidents in the five boroughs have decreased while business throughout the industry continues to thrive. Between January 1 and October 31 of this year, 3.5% more new building and alteration permits were issued than last year.

“As the pace of construction activity remains steady throughout the next year, we are calling on contractors, construction managers and workers to join us in continuing to raise the professional level of care in upholding safety regulations on job sites of all sizes before accidents happen,” said Lancaster.

Meanwhile, the only increase in accidents was seen on high-rise construction sites, a significant 83%. The DOB attributes the sharp increase in accidents at high-rise sites partly to construction material falling during concrete operations. Those incidents were responsible for 23 of the 34 accidents. is partly responsible for the increase, which increased to 68% in 2007, causing 23 of the 34 emergencies.