Will Smith to save Coney’s oldest building?

Hollywood has come to the rescue for Coney Island’s oldest building. According to local blog Amusing the Zillion, the producers of “Men in Black III” have leased the dilapidated Grashorn Building, once in danger of demolition, from developer Thor Equities and plan rehabilitate its interior for use during filming next month. The structure, at 1104 Surf Avenue, is said to date back to the 1880s and served as a hardware store for local businesses for more than 60 years. But more recently, it has sat vacant, save for some squatters, and fallen into disrepair. Locals and preservationists had feared that meant the Grashorn was a likely target for demolition by Thor, though earlier this year a “For Lease” sign on the building raised hopes that it could be, at least temporarily, saved, and the rehab project by its new Hollywood tenants bodes well for the future. Will Smith and Josh Brolin will land on Coney Island to film “Men in Black 3” from May 2 and May 6, and the movie is set to be released next year. [Amusing the Zillion]