NYC Approves $1M Coney Island Business Improvement District

NEW YORK, NY - A new era of revitalization is set to begin for Coney Island as Mayor Zohran Mamdani officially approved the creation of a $1 million Business Improvement District (BID) for the iconic waterfront neighborhood. Standing against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, the mayor signed the certificate on Sunday, marking a significant investment in the area as it prepares for the 2026 summer season.

City officials announced that the new BID will focus on enhancing sanitation, marketing, and business support for Coney Island, which attracts more than 5 million visitors annually to its amusement district. The initiative is part of efforts to ensure the area is clean, safe, and thriving as it welcomes both tourists and locals.

Brooklyn’s 24th BID

With this development, Coney Island will become Brooklyn’s 24th BID and the 78th across New York City. According to the Department of Small Business Services, the city allocates approximately $207 million annually to its BIDs, which provide services ranging from street cleaning to public events and neighborhood promotion.

The $1 million for Coney Island’s BID will supplement over $850,000 already dedicated to commercial revitalization and merchant organizing in the area, according to city officials. Services funded by the BID will include power-washing shared spaces, landscaping, holiday lighting along Mermaid Avenue, and other beautification measures designed to support local businesses.

Focus on Sanitation and Local Commerce

Mayor Mamdani emphasized the importance of this initiative for Coney Island’s community and economy. "By strengthening sanitation, public space, and business support along Mermaid and Surf Avenues, we’re building a Coney Island where local commerce thrives, corridors are cleaner and safer, and economic opportunity is rooted in the community", he said.

The district will encompass properties and storefronts along Surf and Mermaid Avenues, with operations expected to launch by July. The BID aims to provide consistent sanitation, landscaping, and marketing campaigns to boost the area’s appeal and support its businesses.

Dennis Vourderis, vice president of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, highlighted the need for reliable services, particularly in sanitation. "The most important thing that the BID will provide is consistent supplemental sanitation, which is so important", he said.

Proven Impact of NYC BIDs

City data underscores the significant role BIDs play across New York. During the fiscal year 2024, Business Improvement Districts collectively removed an average of 10,421 trash bags and erased graffiti 2,227 times per day. Additionally, they hosted an average of 11 public events and distributed 2,796 marketing materials daily, showcasing their impact on local communities.

With the creation of the Coney Island BID, property owners along the neighborhood’s main corridors will now play an active role in funding and overseeing these essential services, adding a new layer of maintenance and promotion to this beloved beachfront destination.

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