Earlier today in the New York Post online, I read about something extremely sad: Astroland, an amusement park located in Coney Island, Brooklyn, has been sold to developers. The price paid was not released. The 3-acre Atroland, plus $100 million worth of more beachfront property purchased by the same developer, Thor Equities, will be turned into a $1.5 billion yea-round operation. Thor's plans are similar to what is already there: "a mix of amusements and attractions, including a new roller coaster and a new hotel to accomadate the anticipated arrival of new tourists."
Astroland, currently owned by Carol Hill Albert, daughter-in-law of the original developer, says that the decision that she and husband Jerome Albert was very difficult. However, the Albert family will continue to run the famous Cyclone roller coaster which is 80 years old, along with the city, and other various rides, in hopes of moving the other rides to a new location in the neighborhood.
Astroland was first opened in 1962 by Dewey Albert. Long before the amusement park opened it is ssaid that in 1874, Charles Feltman invented the hot dog on the same site. Another landmark in the area? The first ever Nathans, which is still a hopping place to get everyone's favorite amusement park foods.
It is definitely sad but at least there will still be an amusement park there and the Cyclone will be staying put.
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Comments: 5
Where would we be if everytime something was to be sold and demolished for a new building, shopping center or sports arena and no one spoke out
We would be living in an aging city, rusting and crumbling around us.
And where would we be if we simply razed every park or landmark for a new mall when some developer came along?
We would have no heritage left for future generations?
Hmmmm. The quandary of progress.
First it was Dream Land in 1911, then it was Luna Park in 1942, then the Steeplechase in 1962 (I am just old enough to remember it before it closed). Now this.
We lost three sports meccas in Eastern Park, Ebbets Field, and the Prospect Boxing Arena.
Brooklyn was truly the sports and entertainment Capitol of the USA. It is so sad to see so much of its great character lost.
Now, more sad news = Lafayette High School (home of Sandy Koufax and Larry King) will soon close:
Lafayette To Close
Also closing are South Shore and Samuel Tilden High (Tilden was our chief rival --- I'm from Jefferson high).
How very sad.