For one of the first times in ongoing debate over the redevelopment of Coney Island, some of the most prominent organizations involved in the amusement district are presenting a united front. The target is the city’s revised development plan for the neighborhood, which shrinks the city’s original proposal for a 15 acre amusement park to nine acres. Although city officials point out the new park would still be double the size of the current amusement parks–Astroland and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park–the opposition suggests, in the words of the Save Coney Island group that the “new plan almost completely abolishes the amusement industry for the sake of residential condos, hotels and retail.” The groups are planning a protest (costumed and visually interesting, of course) on May 22 to mark the start of the new Coney season. They include Coney Island USA, The Coney Island History Project, Citylore, the Polar Bear Club and the Coney Island Hysterical Society. Together they claim 4,000 members.

While many of the group’s embraced the city plan announced in November by Mayor Bloomberg and departed Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Dan Doctoroff, they suggest the city has backtracked. (City officials strongly deny the suggestion, saying the revision simply represents more realistic thinking and is a reflection of what is possible in terms of gaining the support of land owners and local elected officials.) Here’s a bit more from the Save Coney Island press release:

This reduction of proposed space for amusements will be unable to create critical mass for the amusement area, defeating the goal of creating a world class amusement and tourist destination. This is not the grand amusement park that we were promised! Goodbye day at the beach…hello day at the shopping mall!…

Retail is no substitute for amusements! Niketown is not a rollercoaster! Toys ‘R Us with a ferris wheel is not an amusement park!…Politicians seeking to turn Coney Island into the Mall of America are placing their own parochial interests over those of Coney Island, Brooklyn and New York City! Shades of Walter O’Malley!

There is plenty of other space in Coney Island for hotels and retail! Why destroy the amusement area forever to meet this goal? Save Coney Island will protest the city’s plan with a demonstration during the Opening of the Beach Ceremony on May 22nd in Coney Island. In glittering Coney Island style, we will demonstrate that Coney Island Community does not want malls and high-rises in the Amusement District.

Much more to come.