Coney Island’s iconic Cyclone roller coaster in Brooklyn came to an abrupt halt last Thursday due to a mechanical issue, halting operations and leaving amusement park-goers in an unexpected predicament. The 97-year-old wooden roller coaster stopped mid-ride, necessitating an evacuation where several riders were assisted off the coaster as it stopped during an ascent.
Luna Park, the largest amusement park in New York City and operator of the Cyclone, reported that the ride was disabled following the detection of a damaged chain sprocket in the motor room. As a result, riders had to walk down the tracks under supervision. “At Luna Park in Coney Island, safety is our number one priority. Thorough testing happens daily before Luna Park opens and throughout the day as necessary,” Luna Park officials stated. “The Coney Island Cyclone is a 97-year-old roller coaster that is meticulously maintained and tested daily.”
Following the incident, the NYC Department of Buildings issued code violations to Luna Park for failing to maintain the ride adequately and not notifying the agency promptly about the Cyclone’s mechanical problems.
Located just three blocks from a proposed site for a $3 billion casino resort, the Cyclone is currently undergoing repairs with no specified reopening date. The casino developers, a consortium of Saratoga Casino Holdings, the Chickasaw Nation’s Global Gaming Solutions, Legends Hospitality Group, and Thor Equities, aim to revitalize the area with their project, The Coney. This proposed integrated resort casino is one of ten anticipated bidders for the three downstate casino licenses that the New York Gaming Facility Location Board is expected to issue by December 1, 2025.
Coney Island, once a thriving resort town for Manhattanites in the early 20th Century, has struggled with economic hardships over the years. The area is now perhaps best known for the annual Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Despite multiple revitalization attempts, Coney Island remains economically challenged, with approximately 25% of households living in poverty and a median household income of $44,800.
Proponents of The Coney casino believe the venture could rejuvenate the area, creating thousands of full-time, year-round jobs, and reducing the unemployment rate, which hovers around 10%. The consortium has promised to work closely with local businesses, enable rewards members to redeem points at nearby restaurants and shops, and invest in infrastructure improvements to reduce congestion. They also plan to collaborate with NYC’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority to establish express subway service and enhance ferry routes to and from Coney Island.
However, the proposal has faced local opposition. Community Board 13, an advisory body on land use and zoning matters within the NYC government, formally opposed the casino in May 2023, with a 23-8 vote against the $3 billion investment. Concerns include typical issues related to gaming developments such as a potential rise in crime, problem gambling, and bankruptcies. CB13 Chair Lucy Mujica Diaz also expressed worry that well-paying jobs from the casino might lead to some community members losing their housing subsidies and rent vouchers.
