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Ride’s over, owner says ” No last-minute deal to save historic Coney Island amusement park
Monday, September 08, 2008 | No comments posted.
NEW YORK (AP) — When reports circulated over the weekend of a last-minute deal to keep Coney Island’s historic Astroland amusement park open for another year, owner Carol Hill Albert was not amused.
Indeed, her tone was bitter as she described plans to close the park Sunday night in lieu of an agreement with the city or with private developer Thor Equities, which have competing plans for the 3-acre Brooklyn site.
“Despite rumors to the contrary, there are absolutely no negotiations going on, and there never were,” said Albert, whose family has owned Astroland for more than four decades.
The park would close permanently, she said. Late Sunday night, visitors were herded out of the park and the lights were shut off for the last time.
The Cyclone, the famous Coney Island roller coaster, and the 150-foot-tall Wonder Wheel, a Ferris wheel, are separately owned and landmarked by the city so they are unaffected by the closing.
Indeed, her tone was bitter as she described plans to close the park Sunday night in lieu of an agreement with the city or with private developer Thor Equities, which have competing plans for the 3-acre Brooklyn site.
“Despite rumors to the contrary, there are absolutely no negotiations going on, and there never were,” said Albert, whose family has owned Astroland for more than four decades.
The park would close permanently, she said. Late Sunday night, visitors were herded out of the park and the lights were shut off for the last time.
The Cyclone, the famous Coney Island roller coaster, and the 150-foot-tall Wonder Wheel, a Ferris wheel, are separately owned and landmarked by the city so they are unaffected by the closing.
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