Transcript: Mayor de Blasio, Commissioner Silver, Acting President Loeb Deliver Remarks at the Reopening of the Coney Island Amusement Area

April 9, 2021

Commissioner Mitchell Silver, Parks Department: Thank you, Alexandra. And I could not be more excited to be in Coney Island this morning and to celebrate the reopening of the amusements right here in Coney Island. Last season, countless New Yorkers missed out on the thrill and joy of these historic attractions. And for many of us, the sights and sounds, and the energy of Coney Island every summer, really, we could not enjoy those traditions. I personally want to thank the Alliance for Coney Island, the wonderful people at the Central Amusement International, including Alessandro Zamperla and the Luna Park operations. And I really want to put your – ask you to put your hands together to the New York City Parks staff. From day one, there were essential workers keeping our parks, our boardwalks open in the summer, our beaches, so that people had a sanctuary of sanity during COVID. They were working from day one and continue to work. So, again, give them a round of applause and thank them.  

[Applause] 

The good news is our beaches will be opening on time this year so people can come out to the boardwalk, thousands and thousands of people to enjoy the sights and the sounds. And also, the Vourderis family, thank you so much for your commitment over many, many years and many generations. Coney Island is back, and it will be better than ever. With the new attractions, we want to emphasize the patron safety. We'll have staff out here as well as the Coney Island staff to make sure you enjoy yourselves in the same manner. And we just want to celebrate the renewal and mark the beginning of a season filled with thrills and enjoyment. So, again, thank you. Have a great summer. I'll be going on the Cyclone for the first time since I was a teenager. 

[Applause] 

So, I know – when you said silver lining, I thought that’s what you were talking about Dennis. So, again, have a great time. And again, what a great, great day for New York. What a great, great day for Brooklyn. And what a great, great day for moving forward. Thank you very much. 

[...] 

Acting President Rachel Loeb, Economic Development Corporation: Thank you, Alexandra. And thank you all and welcome. And it's so great to see everybody. As Alexandra mentioned, my name is Rachel Loeb. I'm the Acting President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation. And EDC is responsible for building strong neighborhoods and creating great jobs across the five boroughs, just like here in Coney Island, in the great borough, my home borough, Brooklyn. After being closed for 18 months, we are so proud to support the reopening of the people's playground. And as we continue to rebuild the economy, just like the Phoenix that we can't wait to ride on, today's milestone is going to bring relief to so many businesses that were impacted by the pandemic and put smiles back on the faces of all New Yorkers. Like many of you. I come here every year with my family. We have a tradition, the day after the boys get out of school, we jump on the Q train and we come here. And last year was sad, when we didn't get to have that same tradition. And this morning I didn't get up at 3:45 am like Lieutenant Governor Hochul, but when I did get up and get dressed, my son said, where are you going? And I said, Coney Island. He said, why am I not going with you? I said, soon, really soon, but go to school.  

So, I cannot wait to ride. I've watched them go for the little baby rides to the big rides, and we're getting on that Cyclone really soon, and then we're going to have a hot dog. So, I really want to thank our partners here at the Coney Island Alliance, our partners – the Vourderis family and Zamperla family. I want to thank the State and all the elected officials, Mayor de Blasio and the Parks Department, we do it all together. And I want to particularly give a shout out to my friend, Councilman Treyger. We've had fun in the last couple years, and I want to keep working together. So, thank you for everything you do. And I also want to thank our EDC staff who work tirelessly on behalf of Coney Island and Brooklyn and all of the City of New York. So, with that, thank you very much for having us. Congratulations and let's get on that roller coaster. 

[...] 

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Good morning, everybody. I’m going to take this off. Here we go. This is one of the best days of the year. Coney Island comes back, the rides come back, and now New York City will come back.  

[Applause] 

You can feel it. And everybody listen, I’m really excited about what's going to happen in Coney Island this summer. This is an amazing community, one of the great neighborhoods of New York City. I always tell people if you're visiting New York City, you cannot appreciate New York City, you can't feel New York City, you can't understand New York City unless you come to Coney Island because this is so special. And, yes, we are bringing ferry service to Coney Island. And thank you to all the elected officials, Mark and everyone, who has worked with us to get the ferry service to come in. That's going to help bring more people to Coney Island, and connect the Coney Island community to everything great about New York City.  

Now, everyone, the rides open today, our hearts open up too because we love this place. We love this place, and we love the fact that today we are focusing on our health care heroes. We're giving them the first opportunities here because they saw us through the crisis. They were there day after day. Everyone give a big round of applause to the health care heroes who are here today. 

[Applause] 

Also, we get to mark history. It's a year late, but that's okay. We get to mark history. 100 years, Deno's Wonder Wheel, 100 years, a century of joy, a century of wonderful family memories. 

[Applause] 

So, let's make it official. I have some proclamations. And what I'm going to tell you is Coney Island coming back is part of New York City's recovery, New York City's comeback. Coney Island, it's going to be an amazing summer, I'm telling you. People are going to come here in droves to Coney Island because this summer New York City is going to come back with energy and life. We announced the beaches will be open on time this year. 

[Applause] 

And the rides will be open and it's going to be a recovery for all of us. Now, let's celebrate this moment. First, Deno's Wonder Wheel, 100 years – I have a proclamation. Is Dennis here? Dennis? Here we go. Step over here a minute so you can see. This is your proclamation. You guys hold it. I'm going to tell you the last part. It says lots of good things about you guys and everything you've done for this city and for this community. And we're very appreciative. And the last part now, “Therefore I, Bill de Blasio, Mayor of the City of New York, do hereby proclaim Friday, April 9th, 2021 in the City of New York as Deno's Wonder Wheel Day.” Congratulations. 

[Applause] 

Well deserved, brother. And thank you, thank you. And congratulations. 100 years, not bad, right? All right now bring up Alessandro – and I need the other proclamation. We're going to do a second proclamation here. Is Alessandro here? Andiamo, Alessandro, andiamo. Okay. You got the idea. You're going to hold it. Okay, for Luna Park now, again, amazing work you've done with Luna park – ten years? Ten years, a decade, Luna Park, better than ever, amazing work to make a beautiful site for the families of New York City. I want to thank you for that. Coming back strong, a place of joy for everyone. And so now, “Therefore I, Bill de Blasio, Mayor of the City of New York, do hereby proclaim, Friday, April 9th, 2021 in the City of New York as Luna Park Day.” 

[Applause] 

Everyone spread the message, Coney Island's back and that means New York City's back. Thank you, everybody. 

[Applause]