The official launch of the Coney Island Business Improvement District (BID)—framed as a long-awaited turning point after years of neglect and underinvestment.
Mayor Mamdani says the BID is the start of a “new era” of investment to help Coney Island’s small businesses thrive year-round. He credits eight years of organizing by merchants, property owners, and NYC’s Department of Small Business Services, and thanks local figures and groups (including Council Member Kayla Santosuosso, Alliance for Coney Island, former Council Member Justin Brannan, and community beautification leaders). He describes Coney Island’s identity as both a famous summer destination and a diverse, working New York community—including Black and Latino families, long-time Italian and Jewish business owners, and newer Russian, Ukrainian, Caribbean, Central Asian, and South Asian neighbors along Mermaid Avenue. The Mayor says the BID will start with about $1 million for sanitation, beautification, and marketing—power-washing, plants, holiday lights, and shared-streets upkeep—while he also ties the moment to broader affordability issues (fees/fines for small businesses, childcare costs, rising rents, “junk fees,” and slow buses). He then signs the BID incorporation certificate with the council member.
Council Member Kayla Santosuosso emphasizes that while tourists define summer, her job is serving residents and business owners all year. She says Coney Island has endured a “history of government neglect” and that the BID will bring basic services, beautify corridors from Surf to Mermaid, and be governed by stakeholders (residents, owners, businesses), which she argues will make it successful. She thanks Justin Brannan, Alliance for Coney Island, the Borough President’s office, and the Mayor for “sealing the deal.”
Dennis Ruderus (Deno’s Wonder Wheel) supports the BID as a way to deliver consistent supplemental sanitation (more reliable than grant-funded cycles), plus landscaping, snow removal, graffiti removal, curb/crosswalk clearing, and power washing—improving quality of life for residents and visitors. He shares a personal story about an employee who hoped to stay and live in Coney Island, arguing the BID can help attract more people who want to live and work locally. He invites the Mayor to Opening Day March 29 for the annual blessing of the rides.
Pam Pettyjohn (Coney Island Beautification Project) describes community planting and beautification work—especially involving students—and says the BID can provide the structure and long-term resources to sustain that work year after year.
In the Q&A, the Mayor reiterates the BID’s core benefit is steady, supplemental services driven by business support. He answers light questions about roller coasters and declines another polar plunge. He also addresses broader issues: upcoming “rental ripoff” hearings (focused on private buildings) and says the city will continue working with NYCHA residents while noting major capital needs and mentioning investments like heat pumps. He briefly responds to questions about reported hypothermia deaths in private homes, saying investigations are preliminary and offering condolences.
Sources: NYC Mayor’s Office , NYC News TV503.com
New York Independent News
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