They’re all amped up!
The city must devise a plan to deal with the influx of drivers who will flock to Coney Island when the new amphitheater opens in July, locals are demanding. The 5,000-seat concert venue will bring more drivers than the neighborhood and add to already cacophonous crowds, one critic said.
“They’re jamming too much stuff on this island, and the amphitheater will only make it worse,” said Brighton Beacher Ida Sanoff.
The amphitheater is slated to open Fourth of July weekend, which has some locals worried about the prospect of more traffic — especially because Surf and Neptune Avenues are already jammed as it is with summer fun-seekers, members of Community Board 13 said.
“It’s just bedlam,” said one member who asked his name be withheld. “Pedestrians ignoring red lights, cars ignoring red lights.”
On at least 12 nights, crowds could be catastrophic, because amphitheater events and Brooklyn Cyclones games are double booked, locals warn.
So far, the police department plans to tackle the traffic using its normal summertime procedure — which includes closing several streets and encouraging event-goers to use public transit instead of cars, according to board district manager Eddie Mark. The city has not revised plans for the additional crowds the venue will bring, but it will work something out before the music starts, he said.
“I’m not sure, but there will be something by the Fourth of July,” Mark said, adding that the panel will meet with police before the holiday to further discuss traffic-management plans.
Plans for the theater do not include any additional parking, plans filed with the city show.
Another local doesn’t mind the amphitheater, but thinks the city and the venue’s owners need to put their heads together and get creative about crowd-control.
“The reality is nothing’s perfect, but I’m sure there’s something that could be done,” said board member Alan Podhaizer.
