Brooklyn Papers on Nathan’s rezoning
The Brooklyn Papers has an article about about the possible effects of the Coney Island rezoning plans on the original Nathan’s location:
The beloved frankfurter franchise — which has stood on the corner Surf and Stillwell avenues since 1916 — is a possible casualty of the controversial plan because it sits on land whose value could soar after a rezoning opens it up to development.
“[Nathan’s is] assumed to be replaced under the proposed actions with a new building, containing hotel, amusement, retail and enhancing uses,” according to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which was posted online by the city on Friday afternoon, but not announced until the Department of City Planning distributed a press release that is embargoed until Tuesday morning.
ConeyIsland.com has a forum thread about the article.
Building a tower on top of the original Nathan’s building was mentioned as another post-rezoning possibility last February.
update The NY Post has an article and curbed.com has a blog entry containing a statement from Nathan’s CEO Eric Gatoff:
Nathan’s Famous supports all efforts to revitalize Coney Island. We remain committed to Coney Island in the long-term and we fully intend to maintain our historic flagship restaurant at 1310 Surf Avenue, which has been the heart of the company since it was established in 1916.
As to the latest report issued by the City, we believe the information relating to Nathan’s Famous is being misinterpreted and that there is no intention to replace or demolish our flagship location. In fact, the Coney Island Development Corporation’s own drawings of its intended redevelopment continue to show Nathan’s Famous in the same location on which it has stood for 93 years, on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues, at the front door to the ‘People’s Playground.
update #2 The Brooklyn Paper has another article which points out that Nathan’s did not rule out replacing the existing Nathan’s restaurant on Surf & Stillwell with a completely new building.
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RON KOCH said
January 20, 2009 @ 1:40 am
Nathans has historical value to Cone Island and be left alone Think of all the millions and millions of people who have gone to an eaten at Nathans.Leave history alone..They will build codos for the very rich who have no place for anything of historicl value..
badlands booker said
January 20, 2009 @ 1:57 pm
I agree with you Ron
Bartholomew Pratt said
January 20, 2009 @ 5:45 pm
i knew this 3 yrs ago , my cousin lives in coney island and the word was that it was a done deal back then i’m surprised it took this long to hit the press
Pat from Moonachie said
January 20, 2009 @ 8:42 pm
The Coney Island location of Nathan’s should be declared a “Gastronomic Landmark”
.. I must be channeling George! 😉