Coney Island Brooklyn

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Bankruptcy Solutions

The purpose of federal bankruptcy legislation, sometimes known as Title 11 of the United States Code or the “Bankruptcy Code,” is to provide an opportunity for financial reorganization or a fresh start for legitimate debtors who are unable to fulfill their obligations.

Foreclosure Solutions

As you are undoubtedly aware, many homeowners are in arrears on their mortgages as a result of the 2020 recession brought on by the coronavirus. At first, most lenders had been understanding and would have granted a brief suspension of the late payments.

Debt Negotiations & Settlements

Clients regularly hire the Law Office of Ronald D. Weiss, P.C. to represent them in negotiations with banks, mortgage holders, credit card issuers, auto financing providers, landlords, tax authorities, and other creditors.

Mortgage Loan Modifications

The most common strategy used by our firm to prevent a house in severe mortgage arrears from going into foreclosure is a mortgage modification. Mortgage modification and other potential Retention Options are the potential goals of most homeowners in foreclosure because most people experiencing serious hardships with their mortgages are looking for “Retention Options

Credit Card Solutions

For consumers, credit card debt and other unsecured personal loans are the most common types of debt. There are a few legal options for handling credit card debt, including the following: Litigation, bankruptcy, and/or negotiated settlements are the three options.

Debtor Litigation Defense

Many of The Law Office of Ronald D. Weiss, P.C.’s clients face the possibility of litigation or collection activities from their creditors because they are accused of having debt that they are unable to pay or because they contest the existence, amount, or obligation of the debt.

Landlord Tenant Solutions

Landlord-Tenant Law is one of our firm’s areas of expertise; we defend landlords and tenants in a variety of legal proceedings before the Landlord-Tenant Court and the New York Supreme Court. When it comes to eviction and/or collecting large amounts of past due rent.

Distressed Real Estate

A. Pre-Contract When a seller (the “Seller”) sells real estate to a buyer (the “Buyer”), there are usually a number of important steps involved. A seller will first list their property on the market for sale. A real estate broker is frequently hired by the seller to help locate possible buyers for their property.

Student Loan Solutions

In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,” as Benjamin Franklin famously said. This phrase has recently been amended by popular opinion to include student loans. Since most jobs these days require a bachelor’s degree, the amount of debt that Americans owe on their student loans

Tax Debt Solutions

Many people have trouble keeping up with their tax payments to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (“NYS”), which includes sales taxes, income taxes, payroll taxes, and other state taxes, as well as the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), which includes individual income taxes.

Coney Island, situated in the southwestern part of Brooklyn, is a neighborhood and entertainment hub bordered by Brighton Beach to the east, Lower New York Bay to the south and west, and Gravesend to the north. It also includes the subsection of Sea Gate to its west. The broader Coney Island peninsula encompasses Coney Island proper, along with Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach. Initially one of the Outer Barrier islands on Long Island’s southern shore, it was transformed into a peninsula connected to the rest of Long Island through land fill during the early 20th century.

The exact origin of the name “Coney Island” is uncertain, though it was originally part of the colonial town of Gravesend. By the mid-19th century, it had evolved into a popular seaside resort destination, with the addition of amusement parks in the late 19th century further enhancing its appeal. These attractions enjoyed a heyday during the first half of the 20th century. However, they gradually waned in popularity post-World War II, and many structures fell into disrepair and were eventually demolished. While redevelopment plans were proposed from the 1970s through the 2000s, most were not realized. Nonetheless, the area experienced a revitalization with the opening of what is now known as Maimonides Park in 2001, followed by the introduction of several amusement rides in the 2010s.

As of the 2010 United States Census, Coney Island had approximately 32,000 residents, with an ethnically diverse population. The neighborhood’s poverty rate of 27% is slightly higher than the city’s average.

Coney Island falls within Brooklyn Community District 13 and is primarily served by ZIP Code 11224. It is under the jurisdiction of the 60th Precinct of the New York City Police Department for policing and has fire services provided by the New York City Fire Department’s Engine 245/Ladder 161/Battalion 43 and Engine 318/Ladder 166. Politically, it is represented by the New York City Council’s 47th District. The neighborhood benefits from a robust public transportation system, including the New York City Subway and local bus routes, and is home to several public elementary and middle schools.

The Encyclopedia of New York City includes the area west of Ocean Parkway, including Sea Gate and Nortons Point Light, as part of the Coney Island neighborhood. Situated on the western portion of the Coney Island peninsula, which lies on the western end of Long Island, the neighborhood spans about 4 miles in length and 0.5 miles in width. It extends into Lower New York Bay, with Sheepshead Bay to its northeast, Gravesend Bay and Coney Island Creek to its northwest, and the main part of Brooklyn to its north. Coney Island was originally an island, separated from greater Brooklyn by Coney Island Creek, and was the westernmost of the Outer Barrier islands. However, extensive filling of the creek in the 1920s and 1930s transformed it into a peninsula.

The perimeter of Coney Island is defined by manmade structures aimed at maintaining its current shape. The beaches are not entirely natural; the natural replenishment of sand is hindered by the jetty at Breezy Point, Queens. To counteract this, sand has been artificially deposited on the beaches through beach nourishment efforts since the construction of the Riegelmann Boardwalk in the 1920s. Approximately two dozen groynes help hold the sand in place. In the 1990s, a significant sand replenishment project was undertaken along Coney Island and Brighton Beach. Sheepshead Bay, located at the peninsula’s northeast corner, is mostly enclosed by bulkheads. Two major parks, Kaiser Park and Coney Island Creek Park, are situated on the northwest side of the peninsula along Coney Island Creek. A 2023 study revealed that Coney Island is sinking at a rate of approximately 2.6 ± 0.8 millimeters per year, making it one of the fastest-sinking locations in New York City. This sinking is primarily attributed to land reclamation efforts that created parts of the neighborhood.

The original Native American inhabitants of the region, the Lenape, referred to this area as Narrioch, which may have meant “land without shadows” or “always in light,” possibly in reference to its sunlit south-facing beaches. Another interpretation suggests it could mean “point” or “corner of land.” The area was initially comprised of several smaller historical islands, each named by Dutch settlers. The westernmost sand spit or point was labeled Conyne Eylandt in early 17th-century Dutch maps, starting with the 1639 Manatus Map.

The origin of the name “Coney Island” is uncertain, despite its regular use in the first half of the 19th century with the introduction of ferry service to the island. Various theories have been proposed. One suggests it comes from a Native American tribe, the Konoh or Konoi, who may have once inhabited the island. Another theory proposes it was a distortion of the name of Henry Hudson’s second mate, John Colman, who was killed by natives during the 1609 expedition. A third theory credits late 18th-century Irish captain Peter O’Connor, who allegedly named it after Coney Island in County Sligo, Ireland, known for its rabbit population. In Irish, ‘coinín’ is the word for rabbit.

Dutch etymologies have also been suggested, with one theory proposing it was derived from the surname Conyn of a Dutch settler family who lived on the island. Another suggests it originated from the Dutch word for rabbit, “konijn,” based on a purported large population of wild rabbits on the island.

There is limited evidence for each theory, and conflicts exist between the available evidence. The translation of the Dutch word for “rabbit” into the English word “coney” is a popular idea, but it has its critics and alternative explanations. In 1816, politician and U.S. Founding Father Egbert Benson proposed “Conyn’s Island” after the Dutch surname, noting signs of a tradition that it once had an abundance of rabbits. However, some historians argue that rabbits were introduced to the island only after settlement. Additionally, the heavily Irish New York Tammany Hall political machine, which controlled the island’s development in the 19th century, may have adopted the name from the island in County Sligo, rather than any reference to rabbits.

Early settlement

Giovanni da Verrazzano was the first European explorer to spot the island of Narrioch during his voyages to the area in 1527 and 1529. He was later followed by Henry Hudson. Anthony Janszoon van Salee was the first settler in New Netherland to obtain land adjacent to Coney Island, securing it in 1639. As Dutch settlement expanded, the Native American population in the region declined, and in 1645, the entire southern portion of present-day Brooklyn, from Gowanus Creek to Coney Island to Gerritsen Creek, was “purchased” from the Native Americans in exchange for goods. Although the specific goods exchanged were not documented in the deed, later accounts mention items such as a gun, a blanket, and a kettle.

In 1644, colonist Guysbert Op Dyck received a land patent for 88 acres of land in the town of Gravesend, situated on the southwestern shore of Brooklyn. This land patent encompassed Conyne Island, located just off the southwestern shore of Gravesend, as well as Conyne Hook, a peninsula to the east of the island. Both Conyne Island and Conyne Hook became part of Gravesend when the town was granted its first charter in 1645. To the east of Conyne Hook was the largest section of the island, known as Gysbert’s, Guysbert’s, or Guisbert’s Island (also called Johnson Island), which contained most of the arable land and extended eastward through present-day Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach. This transaction marked the first official real estate transaction for the island. Despite Op Dyck never occupying the land, he sold it off to Dick De Wolf in 1661. De Wolf then prohibited Gravesend residents from using Guisbert’s Island and established a saltworks on the land, sparking discontent among Gravesend livestock herders.

With New Amsterdam being transferred to the English in 1664, and subsequently, the English Governor issuing a new charter for Gravesend that excluded Coney Island, Guisbert’s Island was divided into plots and distributed to several dozen settlers. However, in 1685, the island was reincorporated into Gravesend as a result of a new charter agreement with the Native Americans.

Resort development

In 1824, the Gravesend and Coney Island Road and Bridge Company erected the first bridge across Jamaica Ditch (later known as Coney Island Creek), linking the island with the mainland. Additionally, the company constructed a shell road across the island leading to the beaches. By 1829, the company had also built the island’s first hotel, the Coney Island House, located near present-day Sea Gate.

Coney Island’s allure began to attract vacationers in the 1830s and 1840s, owing to its proximity to Manhattan and other boroughs, yet its relative distance from Brooklyn provided the semblance of a proper vacation. Carriage roads and steamship services reduced travel time from a former half-day journey to just two hours. Initially, most vacationers were affluent and traveled by carriage. In 1845, inventor Samuel Colt erected an observation tower on the peninsula, but the project was abandoned shortly after. The 1847 introduction of a ferry line to Norton’s Point, later named after hotel owner Michael Norton, attracted middle-class visitors to Coney Island. However, gang activity also emerged during this period, prompting warnings about the potential risks of visiting Coney Island.

The arrival of the Brooklyn, Bath and Coney Island Railroad in 1864 marked the first railway connection to Coney Island. Over the ensuing 13 years, four additional railroads were constructed specifically to transport visitors to the area, reflecting a broader national trend toward trolley park development.

In 1868, William A. Engeman established a resort in the vicinity, later named Brighton Beach in 1878 by Henry C. Murphy and a consortium of businessmen, evoking the English resort city of Brighton. Adjacent to Brighton Beach, wealthy banker Austin Corbin began developing Manhattan Beach after becoming interested in the area during a visit to the beach with his ailing son. Corbin constructed the New York and Manhattan Beach Railway to serve his two luxury shoreline hotels: the Manhattan Beach Hotel, which opened in 1877, and the Oriental Hotel, which opened in 1880. These lavish accommodations catered to the affluent upper class, contrasting with the more middle-class patronage of Brighton Beach.

Coney Island boasts two distinct amusement parks: Luna Park and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. Additionally, there are numerous rides that operate independently of these parks, owned and managed by various companies. Beyond its amusement parks, Coney Island offers a range of visitor attractions including skeeball, ball tossing, and a sideshow featuring shooting, throwing, and tossing skills.

Moreover, Coney Island is renowned for hosting a variety of events. Notably, its amusement area stands out as one of the few in the United States that is not predominantly owned by any single entity, fostering a diverse and vibrant atmosphere.

Based on data from the 2010 United States Census, Coney Island and Sea Gate had a combined population of 31,965, showing a decrease of 6.7% from the 2000 count. The neighborhood covers an area of 851.49 acres, with a population density of 37.5 inhabitants per acre. The racial makeup was diverse, with African Americans comprising 32.2%, Whites 30.9%, Asians 8.7%, and Hispanic or Latino individuals making up 26.2% of the population.

In terms of education, 82% of the population were high school graduates, while 40% held a bachelor’s degree or higher. The community’s median household income in 2016 was $39,213, with approximately 24% of residents living in poverty. Unemployment was reported at 11%, and 55% of residents experienced rent burden, slightly higher than citywide rates.

Despite these challenges, Coney Island was not considered to be gentrifying as of 2018. The neighborhood has a higher proportion of elderly residents compared to other areas of New York City.

Politically, Coney Island falls within New York’s 8th congressional district, the New York State Senate’s 23rd district, the New York State Assembly’s 46th district, and the New York City Council’s 47th district.

Coney Island is under the jurisdiction of the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) 60th Precinct, headquartered at 2950 West Eighth Street. Transit District 34 is situated at 1243 Surf Avenue, within the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue subway station.

The 60th Precinct was ranked as the 34th safest out of 69 patrol areas for per-capita crime in 2010. Over the period from 1993 to 2010, major crimes decreased by 72%, with robberies decreasing by 76%, felony assaults by 71%, and shootings by 67%. As of 2018, Coney Island’s rate of violent crimes per capita, with a non-fatal assault rate of 51 per 100,000 people, is lower than that of the city as a whole. The neighborhood’s incarceration rate, at 168 per 100,000 people, is similar to that of the entire city.

The 60th Precinct has seen a significant reduction in crime rates since the 1990s, with crimes across all categories dropping by 77.5% between 1990 and 2022. In 2022, the precinct reported five murders, 16 rapes, 179 robberies, 373 felony assaults, 159 burglaries, 527 grand larcenies, and 121 grand larcenies auto.

As of 2018, Coney Island experiences slightly higher rates of preterm births and births to teenage mothers compared to the citywide averages. Specifically, there were 95 preterm births per 1,000 live births in Coney Island, compared to 87 per 1,000 citywide, and 20.2 births to teenage mothers per 1,000 live births, compared to 19.3 per 1,000 citywide. Additionally, Coney Island has a higher proportion of uninsured residents or those receiving healthcare through Medicaid, estimated at 14% compared to the citywide rate of 12%.

The concentration of fine particulate matter, the deadliest air pollutant, is lower in Coney Island at 0.0067 milligrams per cubic meter compared to the citywide and boroughwide averages. However, 19% of Coney Island residents are smokers, higher than the city average of 14%. Moreover, 28% of residents are obese, 15% are diabetic, and 31% have high blood pressure, all exceeding the citywide averages. The rate of childhood obesity in Coney Island is 18%, slightly lower than the citywide average of 20%.

Despite these health challenges, 92% of residents consume fruits and vegetables daily, slightly higher than the city average of 87%. However, only 70% of residents rated their health as “good”, “very good”, or “excellent”, lower than the city’s average of 78%. Additionally, there is a higher concentration of bodegas compared to supermarkets in Coney Island. The primary healthcare facility in the neighborhood is Coney Island Hospital.

As of 2018, Coney Island demonstrates a similar proportion of college-educated residents compared to the rest of New York City. About 45% of residents aged 25 and older have attained a college education or higher, while 18% have less than a high school education, and 37% are high school graduates or have some college education. In comparison, 40% of Brooklynites and 38% of city residents have achieved a college education or higher.

Regarding academic performance, the percentage of Coney Island students excelling in math has been on the rise, increasing from 53% in 2000 to 72% in 2011. However, reading achievement has experienced a slight decline during the same period, falling from 57% to 55%.

Furthermore, Coney Island’s rate of elementary school student absenteeism exceeds the citywide average. Approximately 26% of elementary school students in Coney Island missed twenty or more days per school year, compared to the citywide average of 20% of students.

Coney Island benefits from the accessibility provided by four New York City Subway stations. Among these, the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue station stands out as one of the largest elevated rapid transit stations globally. It serves as the terminal for the D, F, <F>, N, and Q trains, boasting eight tracks and four platforms. Originally constructed between 1917 and 1920 to replace the former surface-level Culver Depot, the entire station underwent a reconstruction phase from 2001 to 2004.

Other subway stations within Coney Island include West Eighth Street–New York Aquarium, which is serviced by the F, <F>, and Q trains; Neptune Avenue, served by the F and <F> trains; and Ocean Parkway, accessible via the Q train.

Additionally, a bus terminal located beneath the Stillwell Avenue station offers convenient transit options. These include the B68 to Prospect Park, the B74 to Sea Gate, the B64 to Bay Ridge, and the B82 to Starrett City. The B36 route connects Sea Gate to Sheepshead Bay, while express bus services X28 and X38 provide direct transportation to Manhattan.

For local travel within the neighborhood, three primary west–east arteries facilitate movement: Neptune Avenue, Mermaid Avenue, and Surf Avenue. Neptune Avenue transitions into Emmons Avenue at Sheepshead Bay, while Surf Avenue extends into Ocean Parkway and continues northward towards Prospect Park. Coney Island’s north–south cross streets are numbered, with “West” preceding their numbers. These streets span from West 1st Street at the eastern border of Coney Island to West 37th Street adjacent to Sea Gate, delineating the neighborhood’s western boundary.

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