CONEY ISLAND...Not gonna happen..
In a story in posted today says officials don't know of any plans
By ELIZABETH HAYS
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Coney Island Chamber of Commerce President Al O’Hagan says reported Disney project would be 'best thing in the world.'
Published reports that Disney is considering a project in Coney Island sent a wave of optimism through the beachfront neighborhood yesterday - but company officials flatly denied the claims.
According to this week's Crain's New York Business, the Walt Disney Corp. is in the early stages of looking to acquire land in Coney Island for a major project.
"It's great," said Al O'Hagan, president of the 100-member Coney Island Chamber of Commerce. "I think it would be the best thing in the world for Coney Island."
Michael Higgins, chairman of Friends of the Boardwalk, agreed.
"It would be like having the Pope move next door," he said, adding that any investment by Disney would benefit the once-neglected neighborhood, which has steadily rebounded since the $31 million KeySpan Park sports stadium opened.
Despite the optimism fueled by the report, Disney officials blew the claims out of the water yesterday.
"It's not true," said Zenia Mucha, a spokeswoman for the California-based media and theme park giant and one-time top adviser to Gov. Pataki. She added that she had called Crain's to discuss the story: "We shouldn't have to deny something that isn't true."
The Crain's story noted that Disney officially denied the reports but said unnamed sources told the weekly newspaper that the project was moving ahead.
O'Hagan and other Coney Island boosters noted yesterday that several years back, company executives had floated several development ideas for Brooklyn's famed beachfront amusement area - such as putting a Disney movie palace at the aging Shore Theatre and building some kind of virtual amusement area on the Boardwalk.
But yesterday, Disney officials said those plans were squarely in the past.
"I assure you that we have not been [to Coney Island] in years," said Mucha.
She added that if Disney was looking at land for possible development, local elected officials would know about it.
News to Mike and Marty
Mayor Bloomberg and Borough President Marty Markowitz said yesterday that they knew nothing of the plan - though both seemed to welcome the prospect.
"We have not talked to Disney," said Bloomberg. "We read it in the papers."
But, he added: "If Disney wanted to, we'd certainly take a look at it."
Andy Ross, a spokesman for Markowitz, said: "We would love to have Disney come to Coney Island - or any other operation. Coney Island is really ripe for redevelopment."
Developer Horace Bullard, who owns the Shore Theatre and seven acres of undeveloped land on both sides of the minor league ballpark, also said he has not been approached by Disney.
