13 September 2007

What Goes Round Comes Round, Again?



Here's a big of unexpected news. Coney Island's B&B Carousell [sic], which we all said goodbye to a couple years ago, presumedly forever, may make a comeback.

According to Gothamist, the endearingly named site Carousel News reports that "The New York City Economic Development Corporation (“NYCEDC”) is seeking a consultant or consultant team for restoration and reconstruction of the historic B&B Carousell."



The City bought the B&B for $1.8 million in 2005. It was dismantled in January 2006. According to the New York Times, it "would be the main attraction of Steeplechase Plaza, a public park proposed at the heart of a redeveloped Coney Island," and "After returning the carousel’s 50 horses and two chariots to their original appearance, city officials hope to place the carousel in a pavilion where it could serve as a year-round attraction between the Boardwalk and KeySpan Park, the home field of the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team."



The B&B, Coney's last surviving carousel, was named after William Bishoff and Herman Brienstein. It was built by the great Coney ride-builder William F. Mangels, and some of the figures were carved by masters Charles Carmel and Marcus Charles Illions.

Nice to see the City do something right where Coney Island is concerned. Of course, they've been giving Thor Equities a hard time with zoning, so that's been pretty commendable.

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