Get Ready to Be Taxed Coney Island Bid Members and The Homes Near the BID Too
Mayor Mamdani was in Coney Island. He announced that he had one million for improvements to the neighborhood before the 2026 summer season begins. This money is supposed to be for additional greenery, power-washing communal spaces and marketing. Source:
No one is discussing how the businesses and adjacent properties to the BID will have their taxes raised. The large businesses in Coney Island don’t care, but the smaller businesses and home owners will feel it.
This was the steering committee for the BID:
This was the Coney Island BID Steering Committee:
Allen Newman, Safehold (Co-Chair)
Sam Moore, Coney Island YMCA (Co-Chair)
George Dove, Mermaid Avenue Business and Property Owner
Dick Zigun, Coney Island Resident, Business Owner
Steve Cohen, Brooklyn Cyclones
Dennis Vourderis, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park
James Fitzsimmons, Coney Island USA
Anne Dove, Mermaid Avenue Business and Property Owner
Michael Weiss, Red Apple Group
Maya Hadad-Miller, Brooklyn Beach Shop
Casey Eichner, BFC Partners
Michael Russo owner of Gargiulo’s Restaurant
Craig Piper, New York Aquarium
Eddie Mark, Community Board 13 District Manager
The work for this BID and some upgrades to the Coney Island Boardwalk happened in the Fall. On December 21st Perch announced that the BID was formed. See:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DSic3tQEbUY/?hl=en&img_index=5
But then Mayor Eric Adams didn’t sign off on the BID – he cancelled the meeting on 12/30/26.
Yet, in December 2025, Mayor Adams announced one billion in improvements for Coney Island.
The money was for “affordable housing” (see the huge towers below), changing the boardwalk and updating the ice skating rink.
The pictures from yesterday are weird. Was Kayla Santosuosso not able to do the presser herself? Why was Justin Brannan there? He didn’t even bother to shave.
Does the new BID help Thor Equities return and apply for another casino license in the future?
Former State Senator, Diane Savino says that there were only three licenses for casinos and a new constitutional amendment would need to be passed by voters in order for there to be more casino licenses.
Joe Sitt still owns property in Coney Island. Justin Brannan voted to demap Coney Island so Thor Equities had a chance to present the casino (If Brannan had voted No to demapping Coney Island, the rest of NYC Council would have followed and the casino would not have proceeded). And remember this money was spent on Brannan:
** In 2018, Justin Brannan wanted the 3rd Avenue Merchants to form a BID. He put $36,000 towards it. Look:
The Bay Ridge Merchants didn’t want the BID and shared that information with the public. When residents in Bay Ridge realized their home property taxes would increase near the proposed BID location, they were not happy. The community was allowed to vote – I didn’t see that in Coney Island (and it was the same company Perch push the BID).
Sadly, Kayla Santosuosso hasn’t done anything in office, but watch the snow melt. This was her “big moment” to be in the newspaper.
Hugs,
marlene
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