An inspector has arrived at Coney Island

On September 24, 2024, Coney Island and Brighton Beach welcomed a special guest: New York State Auditor General Thomas P. DiNapoli, who presented his economic report, which was of interest because it highlighted the significant economic growth and employment increase in the area over the past decade, despite unemployment. The median household income in 2022 was $43,146, significantly lower than the county ($73,951) and the city ($74,694).
  The report was unveiled at the New York Aquarium, a place that is not only a tourist attraction but also a scientific center dedicated to ocean research. We decided to look into the key issues of the report and spoke with New York State Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny.
M. Lagunova: "Coney Island is famous for its commercial activity, which contributes to year-round economic growth. But why, living by the ocean, do we buy fish from China?"
A. Brook-Krasny: "The problem is that local employers often cannot pay even the minimum wage. The issue of minimum wage is the subject of fierce debate between Republicans and Democrats. Economic growth has led to the creation of jobs, especially in the field of medical and social services, which is associated with the presence of elderly residents of the area. New medical offices and organizations providing consultation services in the native languages of clients have opened."
Alec Brook-Krasny also noted that NYCHA's subsidized apartments remain a major problem. Although the neighborhood's economy is growing, many buildings are in need of major repairs. About 61% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, and 75% of all housing in the neighborhood is rented. The average rent, including gas and utilities, is $1,401, which is lower than other neighborhoods in the city ($1,688).
M. Lagunova: "And what about the boardwalk, one of the main attractions of Coney Island?"
A. Brook-Krasny: "The boardwalk is a favorite place for many residents and visitors to the area, but it always causes controversy. Although some activists want to see it made of wood, concrete and plastic have been successfully used in some places. At my request, $10 million was allocated in 2010 for the reconstruction of the boardwalk. Despite criticism from some activists who do not know that tropical wood is prohibited for construction purposes all over the world, we continue to work, and perhaps by 2028 the boardwalk will be completely renovated from concrete and plastic."
DiNapoli's economic report also emphasized that despite all the achievements, problems remain. Brooklyn President Antonio Reynoso said that although the borough faces challenges, it finds ways to overcome them. City Council Member Justin Brannan added that new investments are needed to support business growth in Coney Island, especially in infrastructure and tourism. The politicians present had the opportunity to speak. Over the past ten years, 797 units of affordable housing have been built in the borough, but the need for additional funding is still acute. An interesting conclusion of the report: it turns out that there are 2,172 residents per grocery seller in the borough, which is significantly higher than the Brooklyn average (1,254 residents). Apparently, the borough has delicious food, high-quality fruits and vegetables, and this attracts residents of other boroughs and even states and cities. Remembering the pandemic, I would like to note that in Brighton there were lines at grocery stores, where everything was in abundance, and masks and hygiene products were in short supply in pharmacies. Brighton residents were quarantined at home, rarely going outside, and the queues were filled with visitors to the area.
According to the auditor, and his office knows how to count, Coney Island and Brighton Beach remain multicultural neighborhoods, home to the largest Ukrainian-born population (14,623) and the second-largest Russian-speaking population (6,931). The area has also attracted significant investment in recent years, such as $526.3 million for the Coney Island Yard Transit Authority, which serves four major subway lines (D, F, N, Q).
Coney Island and Brighton Beach continue to thrive and maintain their cultural and economic importance to New York City.
Marina Lagunova