Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Astroland Rocket Donated To City And Takes Off To Staten Island

Image courtesy of Coney Island History Project (Flickr.com)

The Astroland Rocket has been donated to the city. The rocket that has been resting inside the gates of the now-mostly-empty Astroland lot is ready to be carted away across the river and over the Verrazano Bridge to Staten Island where it will be living in hiding in Staten Island for a long time. Until it's placed somewhere in its new home at the future redeveloped Coney Island. Astroland donated the 71-foot long, 14,000 pound rocket to the city and was excepted by EDC Deputy Mayor, Robert Lieber on behalf of the City Economic Development Corporation.

The New York Economic Development Corporation sent out press alert about holding a conference at the Aquarium's Education Hall at noon. Carol Hill Albert along with Lieber and EDC president, Seth Pinsky, Domenic Recchia, City Planner Amanda Burden and others attended. Some quotes from the conference, in part, read:

"Rescue of Endangered Coney Island Artifact is a Symbol of the City’s Commitment to the Redevelopment of the Storied Amusement Destination...Will Relocate to a Permanent Home in Coney Island’s New Amusement and Entertainment District." It added that rocket "will become a permanent and iconic part of the 27 acre redeveloped amusement district in Coney Island."


With the announcement there was a conference held at the New York Aquarium at noon where the rocket was moved to until it was shipped off to Staten Island sometime in the evening.

Robert C. Lieber, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, quotes in the release:
“Coney Island is the people’s playground, and the Astroland rocket is its symbol of the adventure, discovery and fun that have brought New Yorkers here for years.”
Also in the press release, Seth W. Pinsky, President, NYCEDC, said:

“The Rocket will now join the Cyclone, the Wonder Wheel and the Parachute Jump as permanent symbols of Coney Island as it once was and the Coney Island that it will become again.”


Other quotes from the release could be read at the Curbed posting here.


Astroland Rocket Update: Staten Island Exile Looms for a While [Curbed]


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