Welcome

MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES AFFORDABLE HOUSING
AND YMCA COMING TO CONEY ISLAND
 
On January 11, 2007, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced the selection of Coney Island Commons LLC to develop a 40,000-square-foot YMCA as part of a $56 million housing complex in Coney Island, providing residents with much-needed recreational and community facilities. The project is the latest component of the Coney Island Strategic Plan, developed by the City and Coney Island Development Corporation with the support of local elected officials and the community, and unveiled by Mayor Bloomberg in September 2005.
 
“Coney Island, once of the world's most vibrant and exciting destinations, is undergoing a tremendous renaissance,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “To revitalize Coney Island and turn it into not only a year-round destination for visitors, but an increasingly attractive place to live and raise a family, we engaged the local community heavily, resulting in our Strategic Plan for Coney Island.  This community center and affordable housing complex was one of the things residents indicated they needed most. By providing area residents with a center for active recreation and an affordable place to live, this project will go a long way to strengthening Coney Island’s residential community.”
 
“It’s no secret that the world’s most desirable homes are near beautiful beaches, and with this project we are proving that in Brooklyn, anyone can afford a world-class oceanfront address,” said Borough President Markowitz. “I commend the Mayor, EDC, Councilmember Recchia, the YMCA, and the partners of Coney Island Commons for helping to maintain our unrivaled diversity, for creating new jobs and recreational facilities for local residents, and for ensuring that Brooklynites and visitors alike enjoy Coney Island’s bright future.”
 
Construction on the project is anticipated to begin in fall 2008 and be completed in summer 2009. The YMCA center will include an aquatic center with a six-lane lap pool and family recreational lap pool, a full court gymnasium, fitness and multi-purpose rooms, a double-height social room and office space. Thanks in part to the YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign, membership and program fees will be affordable to all incomes due to the YMCA’s Sliding Scale Membership Program that uses a flexible rate structure to assure that no one is turned away due to financial circumstances. In serving New York City’s neighborhoods, the YMCA works as a partner with local schools to create complementary programs for youth and teens’ growth and development.
 
“The YMCA of Greater New York is proud to be a partner in this exciting development – one that is sure to become a community anchor in Coney Island,” said YMCA President Lund. “As one of the City’s leading youth service organizations, we will provide much needed after school programs, teen leadership initiatives, healthy kids programs, wellness initiatives, a vast array of other important services, and of course, plain old fun. The Y is committed to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities, and we’re very glad to have a presence here in Coney Island.”

For information about the YMCA’s community-building capital programs for Coney Island or any of our other projects, please contact Amy Mugavero, Director of Leadership Giving, at 212-630-9607 or amugavero@ymcanyc.org.