See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Will Bredderman
Brooklyn Daily
Borough President Markowitz says he’s dead set on delivering a $64 million music venue to Coney Island before his gig as Brooklyn’s chief executive officer is up next year.
“I’ve got one more thing on my agenda,” the beep told members of the new Alliance for Coney Island last week. “We will have an amphitheater!”
Markowitz’s announcement recharged wishful plans to create a sprawling new space for his long-running seaside concert series at Asser Levy Park that struck a sour note with critics back in 2008 — and ended up in court. Critics claimed an amphitheater in Asser Levy Park would be too noisy and encroach on prized parkland.
But Mr. Brooklyn — who will be term limited out of office next December — has a successful track record of turning some of his dreams into reality.
His controversial backing of the Barclays Center helped to construct the home of the Brooklyn Nets after years of legal wrangling.
Then, on Dec. 11, the city approved his plan to add $2 million worth of “bling” to Coney Island’s iconic Parachute Jump, over objections by some who complained that the money would be better spent on Sandy recovery efforts.
Rumors have also circulated that Markowitz wants to move the new amphitheater into the landmarked Childs Restaurant building on the Coney Island Boardwalk between W. 21st and W. 22nd streets.