New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
Developer muzzles
Coney tenants
BY JOTHAM SEDERSTROM
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Thursday, March 1st, 2007

Silence is golden in Coney Island.

A dozen business owners have vowed to stay mute about the amusement mecca's future because of an airtight provision of their leases that threatens severe penalties for talking - even during crucial public hearings planned for this year.

"Everyone is going to have to shrug their shoulders and say nothing, and that's exactly what they want," said Dianna Carlin, owner of the now-closed Boardwalk shop Lola Staar Souvenir Boutique.

"They want to bulldoze through this whole thing," she said of developer Thor Equities.

The sweeping clause in the leases - most of them signed by short-term tenants in buildings scooped up along the Boardwalk - threatens $10,000 fines for each offense and even eviction for squawking about "the redevelopment activities" on Coney Island.

The clause also bars attendance at parades, marches, other public events and petition signings until three years after the lease is terminated - demands that would conceivably keep tenants from speaking during a city-mandated public land review process this year.

Thor's $1.5 billion project, slated to be finished by 2011, would include an indoor water park and residential, retail and entertainment components on 13 acres.

Thor officials defended the lease terms, but declined comment on the clause.

"Thor offered all of the Boardwalk tenants the opportunity to stay in place for an additional season," said Thor spokesman Lee Silberstein.

Primarily for tenants seeking one more year, the contract was signed by Ruby's Bar and Grill, Shoot The Freak, Cha Cha's and a Boardwalk outpost of Nathan's Famous, among others, sources said.

Carlin, who was offered a lease renewal that was subsequently revoked, said she was evicted in January after she objected to the confidentiality clause.

Had she signed the clause, it would have barred her from answering questions even from her customers, who routinely ask about the future of Coney Island, she said.

"People come to me all the time, and it's important for me to be honest with my customers," said Carlin, who opened her Boardwalk location seven years ago.

Others doubted the clause would stifle opposition during a public review expected to go through Community Board 13, the borough president's office and the city Council before reaching Mayor Bloomberg.

"If people need to sign a lease for one more year, that takes priority over speaking out in public," said Dick Zigun, president of Coney Island USA, an arts and community group. "Coney Island has enough loudmouths, including me, to speak out about development."

adriahna wrote on Mar 1^st, 2007, 10:45am:


We all know what they are trying to hide, their true intention of the future of Coney Island.... Their condos and no amusements, just condos.

Bruce

God bless Dianna Carlin for having the courage, conviction and guts to stand up to Thor and tell the world what is really happening down there, even to the point of saying to Thor that they can take their one-year lease and shove it.

Makes you wonder what agreement the Alberts had to sign when they sold Astroland.

now... everyone.. write a editorial to the peoples opinion page on the daily news.

it should be on their website

Bruce

coneybyebye wrote on Mar 1^st, 2007, 7:43am:


Was this Dick Zigun quote correctly portrayed in the article?

I haven't been that active on this board much nowadays because the posts are a tad frustrating at times. But this quote is infuriating on a couple of levels.  Most importantly the patronizing tone of it. And the implication that securing a 1 year lease is more important than the future decades of a whole community.

I know the world of the carnival and amusements is filled with lies, shams and petty-manipulations.  But this quote is 100% b******t.

Jack wrote on Mar 1^st, 2007, 5:30pm:



I understand what you are saying, but remember, people still need to put food on the table, for themselves and their employees.  And who knows what could happen in a year.  

It is sad to say, but you cant eat principles.

Bruce

Capt_Nemo wrote on Mar 1^st, 2007, 5:37pm:


True, but it's simply a land-owner intimidating his tenants, holding out empty promises and basically saying "I own you; shut up..."

And what will those leases be worth when they own a food stand in the middle of a demolition zone?

I feel bad for everyone.  Especially the people who are still there and getting dicked around by everyone on all sides.

It's truly disgusting.