Seven months after being pummeled by Hurricane Sandy, Coney Island and the city’s seven other beaches are back in business.
Mayor Bloomberg officially opened the beaches yesterday, in time for the Memorial Day weekend, and unveiled the new Steeplechase Plaza, just west of Stillwell Avenue.
The $29.5 million, 2.2-acre plaza showcases the Parachute Jump and a 106-year-old carousel.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz took the carousel’s inaugural spin with students from PS 90 in Coney Island.
“This ride is more my speed. Up until now, the only ride I’d go on is the Wonder Wheel,” Markowitz said.
“Coney Island isn’t just back. It’s better than ever,” he said.
Also getting a partial reopening today is the New York Aquarium, which suffered significant damage.
The city has spent more than $270 million fixing up 14 miles of beaches since Sandy.