I don’t get it: such people prefer blight and squalor?
Parking lots. That’s what many prefer.
A casino makes a lot sense at Coney Island and could bring lots of revenue to the area.
I’m italian and I’m used to conservative and close-minded people, but I really don’t understand how several newyorkers can be so anti-development… I mean, they live in an ever-changing city and in spite of everything, they are still afraid of change? Really? Have they ever stepped outside their nabes?
I mean, a quick visit to the Meatpacking District, Battery Park City, Gowanus, Dumbo etc etc, is enough to realize how such areas have benefited from massive investment, from greenery to public safety…
To be fair, that part of Brooklyn has changed very little in the past half century. In fact, Brighton Beach looks pretty much the same as it did 40 years ago, and most of Coney Island as well. And many folks never leave their neighborhoods. I highly doubt most Brighton or Coney Island old-timers ever make it out to Williamsburg, Dumbo and the like.
„ The Timeline for New York Downstate Casino Licensing
The Coney Island vote just adds to the momentum as the journey to bring commercial casinos to New York City pushes forward.
It seems like only yesterday that Robert Williams, Executive Director of the New York State Gaming Commission, outlined an extended timeline during a public meeting. That was last year, and now critical deadlines are fast approaching.
As time ticks down, anticipation and debate are intensifying among stakeholders and industry leaders.
The deadlines for the licensing process have been in place for nearly a year:
- June 27, 2025: Deadline for license applications.
- September 30, 2025: Deadline for satisfying Community Advisory Committee requirements.
- December 1, 2025: Projected date for licensing decisions.
This timeline indicates that casinos may not open until 2026 or later. The delay has sparked mixed reactions, with some supporting the cautious approach while others criticize the extended timeline.“
1709 Surf Avenue
Thank god
Tilyou Towers
NYCEDC Selects RYBAK Development as Developer for Key Housing Project on Coney Island West | NYCEDC
BROOKLYN, NY—New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) today announced RYBAK Development to lead the next phase of development on Coney Island West, which will convert “Parcel A”—an 80,000-square-foot lot used primarily for public parking and owned by the City and NYCEDC—into over 500 units of mixed-income housing, 25 percent of which will be affordable. Named Tilyou Towers, for George C. Tilyou, founder of Steeplechase Park, and designed by Brooklyn-based IMC Architecture, the development will also provide ground-floor retail space and replace existing public surface parking with new public structured parking.
The development of “Parcel A,” located on Surf Avenue between West 21st and West 22nd Streets, west of the iconic Coney Island Amusement District, builds off the Adams Administration’s and NYCEDC bold new vision for the next phase of Coney Island. First announced in Mayor Adams’ fourth State of the City Address and advanced in a February 2025 announcement, this vision includes 1,500 new homes, reconstruction of the historic Riegelmann Boardwalk, and new investments in streets, sewers, and public realm improvements, including a $42 million renovation of the Abe Stark Sports Center. The city will renovate the Abe Stark Sports Center and the world-famous Coney Island boardwalk and enhance the public realm by building new streets and utilities. The Abe Stark Center renovation will include a new entrance and signage on the boardwalk, improved ice-skating facilities, and other amenities.
NYCEDC selected RYBAK Development following a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. With construction expected to start in 2027—and a goal of the project being complete by 2030—RYBAK’s vision for Parcel A includes:
- 505 units of mixed-income housing, with 25 percent designated affordable at a blended average of 80 percent AMI—ranging from 40 percent AMI to 100 percent AMI;
- 160 spaces of public parking maintained during construction and replaced as part of a new structured parking garage once development is complete;and
- 30,000+ square feet of ground floor retail space.
The concrete structure rental building will feature an 11-story “podium” section and two 28-story towers. The podium will have a setback on the eighth floor as well as a large outdoor tenant amenity rooftop terrace on the 11th floor, including an infinity-edge swimming pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, lounge, gaming area, children’s playground, pet-friendly facilities and kitchen. Indoor amenities will be located on the fifth floor.
The rainscreen-type façade will be composed of a brick veneer in a “beach sand” color on the podium section and metal panels in two harmonized sand-tone and ecru colors on the towers. Adding dimension and visual interest, the windows will be surrounded by “shadow box” framing jutting out of the façade. Aluminum window frames will be finished in bronze color.
The Tilyou Towers will house a variety of units, including 80 studios, 173 one-bedroom apartments, 166 two-bedrooms and 86 three-bedroom residences. The retail section will be located on both Surf Avenue and Ocean Way. Residential entrances will be included on both West 21st and West 22nd Streets, with additional smaller receiving lobbies on those blocks as well.
The street level will house retail spaces and a parking garage. Second and third floors will feature a parking garage, while the fourth floor will house a combination of apartments and parking spaces. All floors above will have residential units and tenant amenity spaces.
