Holy shit. The Astroland Rocket was removed yesterday afternoon from atop Gregory & Paul’s. Captain Nemo and Pablo Jonesy recorded the sad moment on the Coney Island Message Board. Captain Nemo writes: “It was a sad day, for even the sky was crying. It seemed this wasnt a planned media event. Several photographers seemed to show up the last moment.” What a disgrace. What an utterly shameful and disgraceful thing to allow. We’re grateful we saw it and photographed one last time on Saturday.
GL ANALYSIS:
Everyone involved in allowing this to happen should hang their heads in shame. To allow an iconic symbol that is known worldwide is an act of cultural barbarism of the highest order. We’re talking to you, Mayor Bloomberg, Joe Sitt, Amanda Burden and Lynn Kelly. You are standing by and watching while Mr. Sitt is perpetrating nothing short of the Rape of Coney Island. Does the word “enabler” mean anything to any of you? There is utterly no reason Astroland should be destroyed for the 2009 summer season and NONE OF YOU have lifted a finger to prevent it. You are guilty of this destructive act as Thor Equities, if not more so, because it was the rezoning process that set these wheels in motion.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Anonymous // Jan 7, 2009 at 9:02 am
why hasn’t the coney island muesum stepped up to aquire this icon? Perhaps it will not be trashed. Did you think to inquire?
2 Pablo Jonsey // Jan 7, 2009 at 9:16 am
It truely is a tragedy that no major newspapers or TV reporters were on the scene as the ICON of Astroland Park was taken from it’s perch. Only Captain Nemo and a few other photographers were there. I did not get there till sundown.
The removal of the ICON is a symbol of the end of Coney Island as we knew it. It’s a symbol of the political gesturing and big business interests that have let this happen on their watch. And the main stream media stood by and did nothing.
The Coney Island residents, which I am one, and affectionados across the country appreciate your coverage of this historic event.
3 Tricia // Jan 7, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Details of the Coney Island History’s Project’s search for a new home for the Astroland Rocket: http://www.coneyislandhistory.org/
Poster # 1, the Rocket will not be scrapped! It was taken off the roof because it will be moved to a storage facility very soon. There are many logistical challenges when it comes to moving a 71 foot long, 14,000 lb spaceship
As for the Rocket’s new home, an announcement will be made when all of the pending details are finalized. The Coney Island History Project received interesting proposals from groups and individuals in NYC, NY State, neighboring states, and even an amusement park in Pakistan! But we really want to keep the Rocket in Coney Island. Let’s hope and pray it happens.
“Charles Denson, director of the Coney Island History Project says his group is currently in “serious negotiations” with a group that will move the rocket to a new Coney location. “It looks like it [might] be staying. It’s a survivor, and it’ll keep the Astroland name alive. It’s a time capsule; everything inside is absolutely preserved.”
http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/2008/todays-news/as-coney-islands-rides-and.html
4 Bruce // Jan 7, 2009 at 8:13 pm
When I was there, there were a couple of people supporting press badges, someone filming a documentary for Astroland, and someone who claimed he was doing a report for Ch 7. He interviewed the person you hear on the phone giving a play by play of what is going on in my videos. He looked like a free lancer as the mic he used didnt have any logos on it.
Did any papers do any photos?
Capt_Nemo
5 Jack // Jan 7, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Bruce, all things considered this is getting questionably less press coverage than you’d expect. I really appreciate Gowanus Lounge for really doing a great job letting the larger NYC community keep up to date on this stuff.