Tensions hit a breaking point in Coney Island on Wednesday at the final public hearing for a proposed casino, as opponents and supporters of the $3 billion project engaged in heated arguments and screamed chants over one other.
Although participants were warned at the beginning of the meeting at the Coney Island YMCA that disruptions would not be tolerated, this didn’t stop several people from cheering, jeering, booing or getting confrontational with those who had differing views.
“This should’ve ended for you the minute violence erupted,” said Johanna Griesé, a Coney Island substitute teacher and actor, speaking to the six government appointed committee members that will determine the future for The Coney casino proposal.
Griesé told BK Reader that during the meeting, a casino opponent was threatened and physically pushed: “You see the violence that happened here – people are so desperate for work and I get that, and it breaks my heart that they’re [casino applicants] lying to these people – they’re not going to get them jobs.”
Many supporters of the casino said they would welcome jobs in the area, which could contribute to a decrease in crime.
“Brooklyn needs more jobs – if you go up the block, it’s a lot of vacant places,” said a resident named Jackie. “They’re [opponents] saying there’s going to be crime. There’s crime everywhere, you can’t stop the crime.”
The proposal says about 9% of the jobs created by the casino would go to Coney Island residents. Many opponents say that’s not enough – while others, like Delloise Wanamaker, said that figure would suffice.
“And if it’s not [enough], there are so many other stores around here that are vacant,” that can become businesses where jobs are offered, said Wanamaker, who runs her own non-profit, No Family Left Behind.
Some opponents charged that even before the casino opens its doors, it would have negative impacts on businesses during the construction period.
“How would we survive being surrounded by chain link fences, heavy machinery and ripping up the streets – who’s going to come in?” said Adam Rinn, artistic director of the non-profit arts organization Coney Island USA.
BK Reader’s interview with Rinn was briefly interrupted by the second scuffle of the night, with New York City Council Member Justin Brannan announcing that if the police had to end the meeting due to disruption, participants would ultimately lose the chance to testify.
Several participants then began to file out of the meeting, as many in the crowd drowned out Brannan with the cheers of “no casino,” while others cheered “build it now.”
Some had a few choice words for Brannan, who serves as chair of the Community Advisory Committee and voted in favor of a rezoning that would allow construction of the facility during a city council session in June.
“That is a grotesque betrayal,” said John Ferrara, who charged that Brannan previously ran his 2023 re-election campaign telling constituents that he was against the casino. “You need to look in the mirror and decide if you want to be remembered as part of the solution or part of the problem," Ferrara said.
A spokesperson for Brannan said that the Council Member has been clear from the start that "he wanted to let the process play out so that every voice could be heard, as the decision on a Coney Island casino does not rest with him alone."
"The Community Advisory Committee, which includes all community voices and requires support from other stakeholders, is where this decision will ultimately be made. As Chair of the Committee for the Coney proposal, Councilman Brannan has made every effort to avoid influencing or interfering with the process, allowing it to proceed as designed," the spokesperson added.
Despite concerns about crime, business or politics, others simply think it’s time for a new era of the seaside neighborhood.
“We gotta catch up with the Jetsons – we’re still living in bedrock,” said Coney Island resident Julia Daniely, adding it would boost business during the winter season.
The Coney is one of eight casino projects bidding for a gaming license. The CAC must hold a final vote on the application by Sept. 30 and the committee must show a two-thirds majority support for the bid in order for it to be selected by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board.
