Torn up streets for sewer construction seem like a permanent fixture of Coney Island. Photo by Marilyn Flores.
“The last couple of years, the roads and sidewalks would get bad over time, the worst part is that nothing is ever fixed here,” Evelin Silva said. The Coney Island resident and others hope that the city won’t forget Coney Island now that the proposal to build a casino was rejected.
In late September, the Coney Island Community Advisory Committee in a 4-2 vote turned down Thor Equities’ casino proposal. City Councilmember Justin Brannan voted against the casino and in an opinion piece in the Brooklyn Paper said, “Coney Island doesn’t want pity and we don’t need to be saved. We need respect and resources.” Now residents wonder what kind of investments will be made to improve Coney Island.
While the economic prosperity of Coney Island appears to be at the forefront of the discussion, residents share concerns about issues affecting their daily lives. “My block has been under construction for the last five years, every year they dig it up and don’t smooth it over,” Maribel Llagorre said. Llagorre’s lives on West 16 Street, only one block away from Cropsey Avenue, a major street that intersects with the Belt Parkaway. The unfinished sewer installation on West 16th Street resulted in potholes. The sewer work continues and Harlem View found that the new street construction permits have been issued for West 16th Street with an end date of December 31, 2025. According to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) permit management system website, permits for residential street construction in Coney Island can range from 28 days to 3 months. However, construction permits are issued in different phases, and West 16th is currently in phase 3A. That means the digging and work could go on for longer.
Other residents shared concerns about safety in the area now that business and activity in Coney Island moves out of the busy summer and fall season. People worry that police don’t pay as much attention in non-tourist times. “The other seasons are pretty neglected meaning anyone could pretty much do whatever” said Marie Chernickin. She lives on Neptune Avenue ten minutes from the police precinct. Statistics from the 60th Precinct show crime increased in Coney Island by 12.3% in 2025 over last year
Coney Island residents blame the rising crime on homeless people and others who just hang around the neighborhood. Maribel Llagorre said, “They should try to get more programs to help homeless people. A lot of areas are more dangerous to walk around after a certain time.”
Series: Community
