As we head into the elective campaigning season, let us try to clarify both sides of the Asser-Levy Seaside Park controversy that is a raging bone of contention.
Brooklyn’s fun-loving borough president has always been a lively comedian, gifted with a sense of humor that spreads roaring laughter wherever he goes.
Way back in 1973, we crossed paths as we both campaigned for public office that neither of us went on to win.
Marty Markowitz was a “kid” then, running for a man’s public office ina Democratic Primary election, trying to capture Councilman Sam Horwitz’s seat.
Naturally, Horwitz was popular along the Coney-Brighton shorefront, while Marty was a kid who was new to the area. He did not win, but he gained great popularity, even in defeat.
Marty packed up his shorefront ‘kit-of-kaboodle’ and went back home to Flatbush, fitting in nicely to many on-going tenancy rages, of steadily rising rent increases of so many Flatbush apartment houses, where unaffordable increases kept coming down from City Hall landlord tenancy battles.
Popular Marty gained great following in his tenancy supports and it helped to build a vital political base.
When an opening arose, Marty crashed onto a ticket, winning as a Democrat, for the NY State Senate. It became his political base. Always looking for fun, he brought it home to his people – summer concerts in the park, like Wingate Field, then others. Always lively and fun-seeking, Marty took to the stage each summer introducing many popular guests of comedy, song and local talent.
He tried once again for borough-wide election, challenging Borough President Howard Golden in a primary. Then, when he sought to bring performers to the very decadent ruin of Steeplechase Park, he was turned down for political reasons (he had once challenged the previous borough president).
But as soon as he again ran and won the Borough President seat, “Merry” Marty brought many prize performers and vibrant acts to Asser Levy Park in Coney Island.
Last spring, Marty planned new heights for the same park. He sought to enclose it, expand its seating and continue the top entertainment, in the midst of a residential corner of Coney that borders Brighton Beach.
Historically, they live in Coney Island, since Ocean Parkway separates Brighton on its east side, where streets run from Brighton 1 to Brighton 15.
On the opposite side, streets run through Trump Village from West 1st to West 37th – all Coney Island, up until the Sea Gate fences.
But now the residents of the park area are heavily aroused, crying about invasion of neighborhood living, disturbing the peaceful quietude and yelling, “Put it in Coney Island” – and they mean the opposite side of Surf Avenue, going toward the Boardwalk on some of the many blocks that lay empty and in shambles. These areas have cried out for redevelopment for so long.
Beside the many decrepit or barren blocks in the ruins of what was once the world’s playground, there is the ghost of what was once the shore theater, alias Loew’s Coney Island, together with a block of empty stores, they sit as relics of a once great amusement area that was amusing. Now the relics sit entombed, while people come from the world over encaptured by the heady aromas offrench fries and hot dogs.
There are other alternative sites available as well. The Abe Stark Arena was approved by the NYC Site Selection Board to be multi-faceted – ice skating in winter, spring and summer concerts, dance floors and ocean frontage dining – and the Parks Department never fulfilled the plans that converted the burned out Ravenhall Baths, as decreed by city planning.
We shall come soon to a time of decisions and the proper site can be a great feat for the future of Coney Island – our home – town acreages of enjoyment and community harmony (amen).
