More than 100 residents and community activists braved the freezing rain on Sunday to join Council Members Mark Treyger and Chaim Deutsch and citywide elected officials in urging the de Blasio administration to save Coney Island and Brighton Beach’s historic Riegelmann Boardwalk. The community gathered along the iconic boardwalk to request that the administration immediately halt ongoing work to replace sections of wood with concrete, which will irrevocably alter the character of this historic and iconic structure and could result in significant environmental and flooding concerns for nearby homes and businesses. The city recently began to tear out sections of the wooden structure despite the lack of necessary studies and the overwhelming opposition from residents, who are requesting that the boardwalk remain wooden and be designated as an official city landmark.

Standing alongside Council Members Treyger and Deutsch at Sunday’s rally were Public Advocate Letitia James, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Borough President Eric Adams, Assembly Member William Colton, Council Member Vincent Gentile, representatives of Council Member Mark Levine, Chairman of the Council’s Committee on Parks, and activists including Geoffrey Croft of NYC Park Advocates, Ida Sanoff of Natural Resources Protective Association and Rob Burstein of Coney-Brighton Boardwalk Alliance, in addition to over 100 residents.

During the rally, the residents and elected officials focused on several major concerns and requests, including the city’s failure to complete an environmental impact study to determine how concrete will impact the flow of floodwaters during the next major storm, the lack of community planning and input (including the fact that a public meeting was held over the holidays with little notice to the public even as construction proceeded), and the loss of one of the city’s most historic and iconic structures that will result if this project proceeds. The community is now requesting that Mayor de Blasio immediately halt construction and investigate ways to meet the public’s requests.

“The Riegelmann Boardwalk is a globally recognized iconic structure that draws millions of visitors each year. Our boardwalk has been neglected by the city for far too long, and all we are asking is for our history to be respected. The way the city has conducted this process has been completely unacceptable, and we will not stand for it. Our history matters and there are few structures in our city as historical or beloved as Coney Island and Brighton Beach’s boardwalk. I am reiterating my request that the administration take the necessary time to fully review and reconsider this project before it is too late,” said Council Member Treyger.

“Sunday’s rally demonstrated the community’s strong opposition to the Administration’s plan to reconstruct and change portions of the boardwalk. After Sandy, there was a plethora of anecdotal evidence that established that the sections of the boardwalk that were wooden had actually stemmed the flood waters, and the damage was more severe at the concrete portions. On behalf of my district, I continue to request an EIS study to determine the resiliency of this project and determine the effect it will have on homes adjacent to the boardwalk. Hurricane Sandy’s devastation indicated to the waterfront neighborhoods that the boardwalk is currently the only barrier from future storm surges. Public safety is the paramount issue here, and I am appealing to the Administration to ensure the safety and security of my constituents,” said Council Member Deutsch.

“The fight to preserve Riegelmann Boardwalk is a fight to preserve an iconic and historic structure. When New Yorkers come to the beach, they don’t want to be greeted by more concrete, more asphalt. They want to see the sun, the sand and the boardwalk they know and love. I stand with the Coney Island and Brighton Beach communities in this fight to preserve an important part of our history. This boardwalk is worth fighting for,” said Public Advocate James.

“The boardwalk is a true New York City icon. The Landmarks Preservation Commission must find an option that respects both the history of the boardwalk and our City’s sustainability goals. I’d like to thank Councilmembers Mark Treyger and Chaim Deutsch and all the members of the community for their efforts to protect the true character of Coney Island and Brighton Beach,” said City Comptroller Stringer.

“I believe the tide is turning on the shores of Brighton Beach and Coney Island, with local residents and citywide leaders uniting to say that ‘wood is good’ for the historic Riegelmann Boardwalk. This is an iconic landmark with international appeal, and I am committed to working with all stakeholders to find how we can best preserve the character of our beloved boardwalk,” said Borough President Adams.

“It is clear that not only is the community strongly opposed to turning its boardwalk into a sidewalk but there is strong evidence that using cement instead of some form of wood will have negative environmental and economic impacts. I am proud to join my voice with the local city Council members Mark Treyger and Chaim Deutsch in speaking out against this ill thought out plan,” said Assembly Member Colton.

“The iconic Coney Island Boardwalk is famous around the world and there is a tremendous history here that simply cannot be ignored. I am confident that if we work together we can find a way to maintain our city’s sustainability goals, focus on resilience, and provide storm protection all without forever changing the history and character of the Riegelmann Boardwalk. Indeed, it is the Coney Island Boardwalk that is famous around the world, not the Coney Island sidewalk!” Deputy Leader Council Member Gentile.

“In spite of the weather, the rally to save the Coney Island Boardwalk from being destroyed by the Parks Department’s misguided plan had a huge turnout of concerned citizens along with a slew of supportive public officials, all of whom braved the elements to speak with one voice and demand that the city stop going forward with a plan that will destroy our historic Boardwalk, diminish people’s enjoyment and use of it, and will subject residents to increased dangers in the event of future storms. As Public Advocate James said, this is supposed to be a new administration that listens to communities and does not force a plan down their throats. We’re hoping that the city is listening to the voices of these esteemed officials as well as our own – something that they have refused to do up until now – and will halt any work from proceeding!” said Rob Burstein of Coney-Brighton Boardwalk Alliance.

“It was wonderful to see Comptroller Stringer, Public Advocate James and Borough President Adams at the rally. We hope that they will use their considerable clout to get the Parks Department to respond to our concerns. Even more importantly, we hope that they can put the brakes on the demolition work that is underway at the eastern end of the Boardwalk,” said Ida Sanoff of Natural Resources Protection Association.

“This design is not about resiliency, it’s about spending the money. We call on Mayor de Blasio and Parks Commissioner Silver to Cancel the Bloomberg-era concrete boardwalk plan and conduct an Environmental Impact Statement so that safety can be assured which they have refused to do. This is irresponsible. What is so hard to understand, the people do not want concrete. They should have a voice,” said Geoffrey Croft of NYC Park Advocates.

(YWN Desk – NYC)