Coney developers forcing out rides, games, shops

‘We were all hoping for one more season’

Close the Zipper and shoo the Spider. Those amusement rides - along with go-carts, batting cages and carny games - have been ordered out of a Coney Island site as redevelopment begins.

“Everybody’s heartbroken,” said Eddie Miranda, who has owned the W. 12th St. rides, including the Zipper and the Spider, for eight years. “We were all hoping for one more season.”

Eight renters received notice last week from their properties’ new owner, developer Thor Equities, telling them to be out when their leases expire Dec. 31.

Six tenants are in the Henderson Building on Stillwell Ave., a turn-of-the century structure that once housed a dance hall and hotel. The other two are are along W. 12th St. and Stillwell Ave. Combined, they operate more than a dozen businesses.

“This means a lot because I’ve been here for so long,” said Maritza Suriano, the owner of a souvenir shop in the Henderson Building for 20 years. “For them to throw us out, it shouldn’t be like this.”

But Thor Equities says the move is just the first step in a $1.5 billion plan to revitalize the famed Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood.

The redevelopment plan calls for a new promenade on Stillwell Ave. along with residential, entertainment and amusement components, Thor Equities spokesman Lee Silberstein said.

“The effort to transform Coney Island and recapture its past glory involves the demolition of a number of existing structures,” Silberstein said. “Therefore, to allow the new development to proceed in a timely manner, occupancy agreements with some of the tenants are not being renewed.”

He declined to say what would replace the Henderson Building.

Norman Kaufman sees a downside to the changes. Kaufman, who owns batting cages, go-cart tracks, a boat ride and a rock climbing attraction on Stillwell, said he won’t be able to relocate anywhere nearby.

“We’re talking about losing one-third of Coney Island,” said Kaufman, who has operated in the area for 50 years. “They purchased most of the usable area. I couldn’t go into Coney Island if I wanted to.”

NY DAILY NEWS

BY JOTHAM SEDERSTROM
DAILY NEWS WRITER