Poor Grimshaw Architects. They design an ampitheater for Asser-Levy Park on the Coney Island-Brighton Beach Board and people start calling the world famous firm’s work a “potato chip.” Welcome to Brooklyn, Grimshaw friends. The new Bay Currents, which is unfortunately not available online except in PDF form, starts to detail some of the neighborhood opposition growing to the scheme. Much of it centers around the $64 million cost when the city is facing an horrendous budget crisis and the noise and crowds the ampitheater will bring to Coney. Some wonder why KeySpan Park, which is not used a lot of days during the summer season and has functioned well in the past as a concert venue couldn’t host more big-ticket shows by the sea. “It’ll be a disaster,” says one former member of Community Board 13. “It’s in the wrong place.” NY City Park Advocates have taken a lead role in opposing it, because it would eat up much of Asser-Levy Park, which is much used in the community. The group’s president says “They’re spending the money like drunken sailors.” The Borough President’s office says the ampitheater will be a huge asset to Coney. There are also some within the Coney amusement community that support the plan and we’ve heard some whispering that some are reluctant to oppose it because they don’t want to anger Markowitz, who could be helpful in other respects to the amusement district.
[Click to enlarge full size; original available at Bay Currents]
5 responses so far ↓
1 Jim // Feb 13, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Been there for concerts. Not bad, but Marty was always there to make a speech, a long speech, usually a very long speech. He likes the sound of his own voice.
This is a park for local people, and the beach cannot replace it. Leave it alone.
2 anon // Feb 13, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Marty Markowitz was elected by the people. He’s not a KING, although his Ego gets inhis way. I guess if you feel he’s a “pay for play” politican you don’t want to piss him off. He can be very vindictive. That’s his nature. He’s not doing right by the Community. He leaves to go to Park Slope, (it would never be built there). These people are not stakeholders in the Seaside Park, it’s all about MARTY.
3 Charles // Feb 13, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Must be a very slow news day if GL is posting links to the Bay News.
4 Coney Islander // Feb 13, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Fuck Markowitz.
5 Jack // Feb 14, 2009 at 2:43 pm
This is horrible. What an incredible waste. Marty, I used to ironically support your concerts before you became Brooklyn Borough President. Now? Not any more!
What is with this obsession to build huge stadiums and concert halls? It’s enough.
You know what Asser Levy/Seaside Park needs. Basic maintenance. And not much else.
This would be a pork barrel project if there ever was one and he should be ashamed.