Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed legislation Sunday officially establishing the Coney Island Business Improvement District (BID), a move intended to revitalize the iconic Brooklyn neighborhood with a $1 million first-year budget.
The announcement, made during a press conference on the 46th day of Mamdani’s term, marks the culmination of a multi-year effort to provide supplemental services to the “People’s Playground.” The new district is expected to be fully operational by July 2026, just in time for the peak summer tourist season.
“For far too long, the city and state have failed to invest in Coney Island in a meaningful way,” Mamdani said. “The formation of this BID is about investing in the small businesses and working families who make this neighborhood iconic all year long.”
The BID will cover a significant footprint, encompassing properties along Mermaid and Surf Avenues, stretching from the New York Aquarium at West 8th Street to West 22nd Street, and extending down Stillwell Avenue to West 33rd Street.
Funding for the district will come from an assessment on local property owners, supplemented by grants and philanthropy. The $1 million annual budget will be used for:
- Supplemental Sanitation: Increased trash collection and power-washing of communal spaces.
- Public Safety: Enhanced lighting and coordination with local law enforcement.
- Beautification: New greenery and streetscape improvements.
- Marketing: Local retail and event promotions to drive year-round foot traffic.
The neighborhood, which welcomes more than five million visitors annually, also faces significant local challenges, including a poverty rate of roughly 26%. Community leaders expressed hope that the BID would bridge the gap between the high-profile amusement district and the “mom-and-pop” shops that serve local residents.
“Mermaid and Surf Avenues are as important as the boardwalk,” said Dennis Vourderis, co-owner of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. “With the BID, these commercial corridors will finally get the attention they deserve.”
The Coney Island BID becomes the 77th such district in New York City and the 24th in Brooklyn. Unlike standard city services, BIDs are managed by non-profit organizations composed of local stakeholders who oversee the maintenance and promotion of their specific commercial corridors.
Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Dynishal Gross noted that the city has already invested $850,000 in preparatory work for the area. “This self-sustaining entity will build on Coney Island’s global reputation while delivering shared prosperity for the small businesses that call it home,” Gross said.
