Joe Sitt: Bring On the Petting Zoos at Coney Island

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By Eliot Brown

May 16, 2008 | 11:06 a.m.

Joe Sitt at Coney Island

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Joe Sitt, the developer who owns much of the amusement district at Coney Island, today announced a new set of rides and other amusements to fill his vacant lots for the summer. On the list for the new “Dreamland”: bumper cars, a “Giant Gondola” and a petting zoo, among others.

Mr. Sitt's efforts come as amusement enthusiasts are pushing back against the city’s new plan for Coney Island, a proposal they claim is far too generous to the landowner. The city’s prior proposal would have effectively forced Mr. Sitt to sell or swap the bulk of his land, as the city wanted to create a 15-acre city-owned amusement zone. That plan ran into opposition from local Councilman Domenic Recchia, who sided with Mr. Sitt, and thus the city was forced to compromise, given the power of local elected officials in major land-use changes.

Now the city and Mr. Sitt are negotiating over the revised plan, which Mr. Sitt has thus far resisted supporting.

Release below.

THOR EQUITIES TO KICK OFF ‘SUMMER OF HOPE’ IN CONEY ISLAND ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Dozens of new amusements, including the largest number of new and exciting rides in decades, coming to Coney through Labor Day

World-renowned Reithoffer Shows, a new ‘Dreamland’ and family friendly sideshows just a few of the new attractions

(BROOKLYN) – The “Summer of Hope” is opening in Coney Island on Memorial Day, Thor Equities announced today, featuring the newest and best rides to come to the Boardwalk in decades; fun and challenging games and family-friendly sideshows.

The festivities kick off with a 10-day limited engagement with the oldest traveling amusement show in the country—the Reithoffer shows—and won’t stop until Labor Day, as Thor debuts a new, summer-long version of Dreamland Park.

“Nowhere in the world has a richer tradition of electrifying rides, mind-bending sideshows and fun-for-the-whole-family games than Coney Island,” said Joseph J. Sitt, President of Thor Equities. “Thor is fully committed to the amusement industry in Coney, and from the Ring of Fire to the world’s smallest woman, we’re sure the Summer of Hope will be a Summer to remember for the hundreds of thousands of thrill-seekers who will crowd into Coney Island from Memorial Day to Labor Day.”

Rides coming in with Reithoffer from May 22 to June 3 include:

The Tidal Wave, Swinging Fire Ball, the largest Bumper Car in Coney, Giant Power Surge, The Storm, Giant Century Wheel, Crusty Crab Wheel, Demolition Derby, Super Fun Slide, Mini Indianapolis, Giant Avalanche, Starship 2000, Drive in Go-Round, Rocking Tug Boat, Crazy Bus, Tilt-a-Whirl and Bumble Bee.

Rides that will operate in “Dreamland” all summer include:

Majestic Himalaya, Ring of Fire, Spin Out, Giant Gondola, Wacky Worm, Zipper, Mind Scrambler, Bumper Cars, Mini Himalaya, Mini Jet 6, and a Carousel. A petting zoo will also be located inside “Dreamland.”

Sideshow attractions the will alternate throughout the summer include:

The World’s Smallest Horse, the World’s Largest Alligator, the 100-lb. rat and the World’s Smallest Woman.

During the Summer of Hope, all rides will be located off Stillwell Avenue Between Surf and The Boardwalk.