Coney Island Affordable Housing Development Groundbreaking
Mayor Eric Adams took part in a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday for a new development featuring entirely affordable apartments, situated near Coney Island’s iconic parachute jump.
Using a shovel, Adams joined executives from BFC Partners along with representatives from city agencies and Goldman Sachs to mark the beginning of construction at 1709 Surf Avenue.
The 420-unit building is part of a broader project which will introduce a total of 1,242 new apartments across three buildings on a block between West 16th Avenue and West 18th Street that BFC is transforming.
Following a 2009 rezoning, Coney Island’s housing market is witnessing significant growth. The newly planned LCOR at 1515 Surf Avenue is another notable development, being an all-electric building with 463 units.
Adams envisions more than half a dozen new projects along Surf Avenue, aiming to deliver 1,500 affordable homes and enhance infrastructure in the area.
While these new buildings may not rival John Catsimatidis’s Ocean Drive Tower, known for its Miami-inspired design, they do feature attractive architecture, modern apartments with impressive views, and amenities like swimming pools and fitness centers.
Residents will find they’re just a short walk away from the Stillwell Avenue metro station, boardwalk, beaches, and popular thrill rides like the Cyclone.
However, there’s a notable absence of shops and restaurants catering to the area’s growing, more affluent population. This year saw the arrival of the Milk & Honey Cafe, but beyond that, nearby areas like Mermaid and Neptune Avenue are lacking in appealing dining options, with Gargiulo’s Italian Restaurant being a historical exception.
The new development will come with substantial retail space on the ground floor, yet attracting tenants has been challenging. This difficulty is partly due to a lingering reputation for crime and homelessness in the neighborhood, which has affected local retail viability.
The city’s Economic Development Corporation, along with the Coney Island Alliance’s Business Improvement District and the developers, will need to address these issues. If not, the vision for a revitalized Coney Island may fall short of becoming a fully realized community.
