The Municipal Art Society is sponsoring an absolutely fascinating discussion of Coney Island tonight with some key players in the drama. It’s called Coney Island at the Crossroads. Featured speakers include Kent Barwick, president, Municipal Art Society; Purnima Kapur, director, NYC Department of City Planning, Brooklyn Office; Lynn Kelly, president, Coney Island Development Corporation; Carol Hill Albert, owner, Astroland; Sheryl Robertson, director, South Brooklyn Youth Consortium; Dick Zigun, founder and artistic director of Coney Island USA; and moderator Jonathan Bowles, director, Center for an Urban Future. An email says that “New York City officials will present their Comprehensive Development and Rezoning Plan for Coney Island to rezone the existing amusement area to allow for the construction of new amusements, retail and residential units. The plan includes the mapping of a 9-acre parcel of parkland for open-air amusements, reduced in size from the 16 acre parcel that was announced in November 2007. Following the presentation, a panel with varied perspectives will respond to the city’s proposal. Coney Island at the Crossroads, Wednesday, September 17, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., at the Municipal Art Society, 457 Madison Avenue at E. 51st Street. $15, $12 MAS members/students. Purchase tickets online or call 235 935 2075. For details of other upcoming MAS public programs this fall, visit www.mas.org/programs.

It will be a fun one for the Coney crowd.