Officials juggle demands before Coney vote

With a City Council subcommittee vote on the Bloomberg administration’s Coney Island plans tentatively scheduled for Monday, city officials are still trying to negotiate the various demands of landlords, developers, unions, low-income housing advocates and others. The New York Observer looks at the major players in the discussions. Thor Equities Chairman Joseph Sitt has been meeting with City Hall officials for three days to try to make a deal for the city to take some or all of Sitt’s land, but there was no deal as of yesterday afternoon. Several unions are asking for wage and development guarantees. Coney Island enthusiasts — members of non-profit groups such as Coney Island USA, the Municipal Art Society and Save Coney Island — are also trying to fight against aspects of the city’s plan out of fear that they would ruin the spirit of Coney Island.