Coney Island USA, one of New York City's many attractions which houses amusement parks, beaches and a baseball team is about to receive a facelift under plans made by the Mayor of New York City

New York City Council has approved Mayor Bloomberg's plans to redevelop Coney Island with a view to creating a major tourist destination and livable neighbourhood for permanent residents.

Mayor Bloomberg and the major landowner in Coney Island, Joe Sitt, are currently negotiating a price for some of Sitt's large holdings so that they can be bought by the city.

The plan will rezone 19 blocks of Coney Island, in order to create a gleaming city-owned amusement park surrounded by enclosed attractions like movie theatres, shopping or a water park in addition to 4,500 housing units.

News of these plans and negotiations have started a Coney Island death-watch, with Save Coney Island spokesman, Juan Riviero, naming it "a sad day for New York City". Riviero also believes that the City will shrink the amusement district to make way for high-rises.

Coney Island USA was founded in 1980 by Costa Mantis, Jane Savitt-Tennen and Dick D Zigun.