It’s across-the-board support.
Council is demanding the city landmark Coney Island’s Reiglemann Boardwalk, even though the Landmarks Preservation Commission previously deemed it unworthy, according to a resolution introduced on Feb. 5. The city must protect relics in the neighborhood poised for growth, according to the councilman leading the charge.
“We have already lost notable historic structures in our community to development because of our city’s sluggish landmarking system,” said Councilman Mark Treyger (D—Coney Island).
The pol pushed the designation in late 2014, trying to block the Parks Department’s efforts to replace the promenade’s storied planks with concrete, but the commission denied him on grounds that the 2.5-mile-long stretch had already been altered too much — and that Coney Island’s most historically significant period was before the city built the boardwalk in 1923.
Parks officials are in the midst of replacing much of walkway’s lumber with plastic planks and a concrete emergency-vehicle lane.
Landmarking could prevent the Boardwalk from becoming a sidewalk, because pouring cement would require public review, a preservationist said.
“There’s nothing that says the city has to restore it to its original state, but there’s still enough of the Boardwalk left where decisions should be made with public input,” said historian Charles Denson.
A total 49 of 50 Council members have signed on to Treyger’s resolution. Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito did not do so as a matter of protocol, but she supports the effort, a spokeswoman said.
Landmark supporters include Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D–Coney Island), Comptroller Scott Stringer, Borough President Adams, state Sen. Diane Savino (D–Coney Island), and Assemblywoman Pam Harris (D–Coney Island).
The commission has designated six landmarks in Coney Island — starting with the Cyclone in 1988, followed by the Wonder Wheel, Parachute Jump, Shore Theater, and two Childs Restaurant buildings.
The landmarks commission agreed last spring to reconsider the Boardwalk, but hasn’t issued a ruling.
