A public hearing Wednesday on plans to build a sprawling casino and entertainment complex on Coney Island exposed deep divisions among community members.
The hearing, held by the city planning commission, drew many supporters of the project, who said the area would benefit from the promised jobs, but also opponents, who expressed fears over increased traffic and disruption.
Dan Kaplan, a senior partner at FXCollaborative who led the presentation, said the project was “rooted in the history and spirit of Coney Island.”
“It is the birthplace of the great American amusement park, the original entertainment district,” said Kaplan, adding that a casino would transform the area from a “seasonal” tourist attraction “into a vibrant year-round destination.”
