Mayor Bill de Blasio yesterday joined Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and Coney Island lawmakers City Council Member Mark Treyger and Assembly Member Pamela Harris along with other officials in cutting the ribbon on the brand new 5,000-seat Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk and West 21st Street in the old Childs Restaurant Building.
The city’s Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) brokered the public-private partnership development deal in 2014, which includes a $60 million investment from the offices of the Brooklyn Borough President, the New York City Council, and the Mayor’s office. The money supported the property acquisition; adaptive reuse of the Childs Building; the development of the amphitheater; and the creation of 40,000 square feet of publicly-accessible landscaped open space.
“We’re continuing to invest in Coney Island as both a dynamic residential community and a destination for visitors from across the city and around the world,” said de Blasio. “The opening of this world class amphitheater is just the latest milestone in our ongoing commitment to a thriving Coney Island, with new affordable housing, open space and even more good jobs on the way.”
Live Nation will operate the Amphitheater and has secured a summer entertainment lineup that includes more than 40 concerts, as well as a variety of family shows, sports, comedy and multicultural events.
Legends, which operates at 36 Live Nation amphitheaters around the country, will provide hospitality services. Tri-State Ford Dealer Association is the naming rights partner, and the naming rights partnership was secured by Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, which manages and controls Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Islanders business operations.
“Just in time for summer, visitors to the People’s Playground will enjoy a world class music venue drawing internationally renowned performers to our borough,” said Adams. “Coney Island has always offered the entire community an opportunity to enjoy entertainment of all varieties on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk will continue that wonderful tradition. I am pleased that this will be the new permanent home of the Seaside Summer Concert Series that I am proud to host for thousands of music lovers from Brooklyn and beyond.”
The Amphitheater has also targeted local hiring through the City’s HireNYC initiative. Of the 242 permanent and seasonal jobs already created, 182 have gone to Brooklyn residents and 48 have gone to residents of Coney Island. The Workforce1 system operated by the NYC Department of Small Business Services led the recruitment effort through a series of local events for all new jobs at the Amphitheater.
“Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk is a vivacious new addition that will quickly weave right into the fabric of Coney Island,” said Treyger. “While it is always good news to welcome more music and the arts to an already culturally rich neighborhood, the best part about this new facility is that the people behind it are committed to local hiring and community engagement, and will be working with local stakeholders to build on the area’s tradition of free community concerts and other purposeful programming.”
Harris said the Ford Amphitheater’s completion marks an important accomplishment for local businesses, residents, and the entire Coney Island community.
“In addition to boosting the economy and creating jobs, the new amphitheater will provide an ideal venue for Coney Island residents and visitors to experience state-of-the-art music and entertainment,” said Harris.
For more information on the Amphitheater and upcoming events, visit fordamphitheaterconeyisland.com.
