ATZ obtained a copy of the cruel kiss-off letter sent by the City’s Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to the Coney Island Boardwalk businesses on October 25th. The City’s lease with the businesses was set to expire just a few days later on the 31st. “Please be advised that effective as of the date of this letter, the NYCEDC (“Licensor”) has assigned its interest as Licensor under your license for the premises to Central Amusement International.”
It appears to be a slick legal maneuver by the City to abdicate responsibility for the November 1st eviction of these Mom and Pops from City-owned property by CAI, which the City certainly must have known about in advance. CAI’s Luna Park is a public-private partnership and everything of importance is done in consultation with the City. The letter is signed by John Cicerello, Executive Vice President of EDC’s Assets Management, which “manages, maintains and leases over 20 million square feet of City property assets with the goal of maximizing return on assets.”
The kiss-off letter begins “Dear Sir or Madam”– the same salutation as CAI’s October 29th surrender the premises letter— which ATZ previously posted. We have to wonder if both letters were drafted by the NYCEDC attorneys or is this type of letter always so generic and coldly impersonal?
The letter states that as of the date of this letter “any and all matters regarding your License and the Premises should be addressed with Central Amusement International.” Any license fees and charges. Any notices, inquiries, requests. Any anything. In other words, the City’s done with you, Sir or Madam. Don’t call us, blame us, bother us, ask us for support.
After the Boardwalk businesses received the eviction letters on November 1st, City officials–both elected and appointed–tried to distance themselves by referring all questions to the amusement operator. Officials told the business owners it was Zamperla’s decision and there was nothing they could do. The businesses, which had been expecting responses to their business plans, were shocked and dismayed to receive eviction notices instead.
In advance of an eviction hearing scheduled for January 10, both sides are expected to get together for talks today. Will there be an out of court settlement? At a previous hearing on December 10, NYCEDC attorneys and a representative of the asset management department were present along with Valerio Ferrari, CEO of Zamperla USA and Central Amusement International.
Last Day at Paul's Daughter. Coney Island Boardwalk. November 13, 2010. © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr
The Coney Island Eight’s new website asks “Who is behind the eviction of the Coney Island 8”? Their answer is that the City made the decision as to who was going to be on the boardwalk long before any proposals were submitted.
It has been reported that Central Amusements was responsible for the ousting of the Coney Island Boardwalk Businesses. This is not true. The City of New York under the leadership of Mayor Bloomberg are the primary developers of Coney Island. This became evident in meetings with Central Amusements when their top Management explained to the Boardwalk vendors that Mayor Bloomberg met with them and told them that he wanted the Boardwalk to have a fresh look. It was two days before the renewal of leases the owners of the land turned all the leases over to Central Amusements to give the impression that Central Amusements made this decision.
Save Ruby's 'Axis of Evil' Protest Sign. January 1, 2011. Photo © Rubyshost via flickr
Related posts on ATZ…
December 9, 2011: Paul’s Daughter Signs 8-Year Lease for Coney Island Boardwalk
October 20, 2011: Reversal of Fortune on the Coney Island Boardwalk
November 10, 2010: This Week in Coney Island: Party at Paul’s Daughter, Hypocrisy at NYCEDC
November 1, 2010: Out With the Old in Coney Island: Only 2 of 11 Boardwalk Businesses Invited Back
Amusing the Zillion 
Old News but, Court is Today, lets see what happens.
I heard it is talks today. I hope all sides come to an agreement. Things have been ugly lately
Court date today: Let’s have the lawyers use their best to fight for Coney, Brooklyn, and all of us “little guys”
Lets see if the settle for the money. If you remember, Mr. Shoot The Freak mentioned in his NY Post article…..”Is there a magic number that could change my mind? Perhaps, but my goal from the beginning has always been to come back. Just that sentence alone tells me what the intentions are here.
I can assure you that if they are offered a money settlement they will all go away. And that upsets me because from day one they have been playing off of the sympathy of the public.
Lets see what pans out….
Shoot the Freak’s statement needs to be read in context of the article. He was answering a question posed by the reporter. Even if it were true, he is just speaking for himself, not the others. The Coney Island 8’s official spokesperson refuted the Post story in an article in the Village Voice, “Evicted Coney Island Businesses say city Is Lying”
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2010/12/do_the_eight_bu.php
Re a money settlement, I think you may have it backwards. I believe it is the City that is offering the money settlement because it is the only thing they can offer. I don’t expect the City/Zamperla to let any of the Coney Island 8 stay because other plans have already been made for those properties. A settlement would compensate the businesses for the costs of those unnecessary “business plans” and to help them relocate in Coney or elsewhere.
Trish,
Who to believe in the press? The village voice? The NY Post?
The one thing that you all miss is the amount of publicity they are getting. What to do with that is another. That’s how u succeed in business.
This is a win win situation no matter how you slice it up!
Pauls Daughter is the only business I have any sympathy for. The family is a class act and what they did for the community on the last day they opened showed me that. Everything was FREE!
I was served the last hot dog………