Renowned as America’s Playground, Coney Island’s iconic 102-year-old boardwalk in New York has faced significant challenges in recent times.

Once battered by storms and erosion, this hallmark of the seaside town, famous for hosting Nathan’s July 4 hot dog eating contest, is set to undergo a substantial $1 billion overhaul. The ambitious project will also see the addition of 1,500 new homes.

Local entrepreneurs are optimistic that this significant investment will rejuvenate the Brooklyn area, attracting visitors throughout the year instead of just during the summer months.

Augustine Quiles, proprietor of Buck-it Sports Bar and Latin Grill, expressed to Spectrum News NY 1, “In the winter, everything shuts down so there’s nothing happening here.

We need to sustain business all year long.”

Eldar Uguzov, who owns Rare Steak and Lobster Restaurant and the neighboring Home Decor On The Surf furniture store agreed and it’s ‘very bad.’ 

‘September, October, this area closed. No business, no people, nothing.’

The new homes will designate 25 percent as affordable housing. Improvements will also be made to streets, sewers and public spaces, as well as a $42 million renovation of the Abe Stark Sports Center with improved ice-skating facilities.

Teenage boys play football in the rain on the deserted boardwalk at Coney Island

Stores along the Coney Island waterfront promenade thrive in the summer but in the winter it becomes a ghost town

In the early 1900s Coney Island became one of the world’s most frequented amusement destinations. A file photo of the crowds circa 1925

The boardwalk and beach in circa 1933. Back then 400,000 visitors on a weekend day was a usual occurrence. Back then the subway fare from Manhattan to Coney island was just five cents

Broken or missing planks, jutting out nails and holes on the famed 2.7 mile-long Riegelmann boardwalk will be fixed or replaced and some sections of the walkway will be elevated to improve resilience to climate change.   

Improvements to the boardwalk’s public facilities, including restrooms, lifeguard stations, and shade pavilions will also be made. 

Local Emanuela Younica told Daily Mail: ‘It’s become dangerous to walk on due to its dilapidation and aging of the wood. This restoration will give a freshness to Coney Island and restore the excitement of living there for me.’ 

Coney Island is just a one-hour $3 subway ride from Manhattan and thrives in the summer as people flock to its beach and amusement parks.

In the early 1900s it became one of the world’s most heavily visited amusement destinations after its theme parks, including Luna Park that opened in 1903 and Dreamland in 1904, drew in the crowds.

In the 1930s Coney Island would often see 400,000 visitors on a weekend day in the summer. 

In 2024 its numbers were more modest but it remained New York City’s top beach destination, accounting for approximately five million visits for the year. 

While each park had its own unique character and business model, they competed for the best rides, shows and staff, and constantly tried out new ideas. 

Luna Park’s fire on August 12, 1944 started in the park’s scenic railway on West 12th Street. The cause is unknown

Visitors to Coney Island in this 1896 photo. The beach town became more and more popular in the early 1900s

The Wonder Wheel Park featuring the huge Ferris wheel is a big draw for visitors who can experience amazing views of the coastline from the top of the wheel

Luna Park opened in May 1903 and became one of Coney Island’s main attractions. Pictured in 1905 

Visitors were enticed by bands, circus and daredevil acts, carnival games, freak shows, roaming elephants and even the chance to see ‘real Eskimos.’

Luna Park’s Cyclone is the second-steepest wooden roller coaster in the world and opened in 1927. 

Coney is also home to Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park featuring a 150ft eccentric Ferris wheel that opened in 1920. 

Vice president of Deno’s Dennis Vourderis told Daily Mail: ‘Much needed infrastructure improvements to the area is fantastic news.’

The seaside town is also known as the place where German immigrant Charles Feltman established the hot dog.

Inspired by frankfurter sausages that were popular in his home country he decided to adapt the recipe by adding an elongated bun.

Building his business on Coney Island, he pushed a pie wagon around the beach, selling food to beachgoers and then moved into a store.

In 1916 a Feltman employee named Nathan Handwerker left to start his own business a few blocks away. 

The Cyclone is one of Coney Island’s biggest draws. It is the second-steepest wooden roller coaster in the world

Nathan’s Famous hosts the annual July 4 hot dog eating contest outside its flagship store on Coney

Joey Chestnut claims victory at the 2025 hot dog eating contest eating 70.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes – his 17th victory 

This year’s Mermaid Parade on Coney Island in June. The parade is another big day in the town’s calendar attracting thousands who watch the Mardi Gras celebrations. It has been running for 43 years

Handwerker’s Nathan’s Famous soon eclipsed Feltman’s and became known across the world thanks in part to the July 4 hot dog eating contest that is broadcast internationally. 

However throughout the mid-20th century visitor numbers dipped as competition from suburban theme parks grew and major fires and storms damaged key attractions including the 1944 Luna Park fire. 

Urban renewal plans in the 1950s and 1960s stalled, leaving large parts of the district underused or derelict for decades.

The current redevelopment aims to reverse that trajectory and restore the area’s economic vitality while preserving its historic identity.

President of Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Randy Peers said: ‘Coney Island has long been a symbol of resilience, culture, and community.

‘The renovation of the historic boardwalk, the upgrades to the Abe Stark Sports Complex, and the introduction of a brand-new mixed-income development will bring new life to this beloved area, blending its rich history with a bright future.’

The boardwalk reconstruction will be led by the city’s parks department in collaboration with the Economic Development Corporation.

Construction is expected to start in 2027 with the project being completed by 2030.