By: Hal C Clarke

Coney Island is poised for a $1 million boost under a newly created Business Improvement District, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Sunday — a move the NY Post reported.

The funding, expected to be available as early as July, was formalized when the mayor signed the necessary paperwork during a visit to the famed boardwalk. Speaking in front of the towering Wonder Wheel at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, Mamdani said the investment is aimed at strengthening the small businesses that anchor the historic seaside neighborhood.

“The Coney Island BID will invest an initial $1 million in the small businesses that power this community, ensuring the people’s playground remains a welcoming place all year for visitors and residents alike,” the mayor said.

A Business Improvement District, or BID, is a designated area where local merchants, property owners and city agencies collaborate to enhance commercial corridors through sanitation, beautification and promotional efforts. According to city officials, the funds for the new Coney Island BID will come from the New York City Department of Small Business Services.

A portion of the new funding will be directed toward stepped-up sanitation services. Plans call for trash collection five days per week during the busy summer season and three days per week for the remainder of the year. Landscaping and general maintenance are also slated for upgrades, with more attention given to tree pits, lawns and garden areas throughout the district.

City officials said the BID will also increase snow removal operations during winter months and expand graffiti cleanup efforts. Holiday lighting installations across the neighborhood are included in the plan as well, with BID funds covering seasonal decorations intended to draw visitors beyond the traditional summer tourism window.

Mamdani described the initiative as an investment not only in storefronts but also in the working families who depend on the area’s economic vitality. He said the creation of the Coney Island Business Improvement District reflects a broader effort to stabilize and enhance the neighborhood year-round.

The announcement comes amid a broader wave of development in Coney Island, where several new residential towers and affordable housing projects have either been completed recently or are currently under construction. Supporters argue that the BID could help ensure the commercial strip keeps pace with the influx of new residents.

Dennis Vourderis, owner of the historic Wonder Wheel, joined the mayor for the announcement, along with Pamela Pettyjohn, founder and president of the Coney Island Beautification Project. Vourderis said attracting people who want to live and work in the area is key to its long-term success.

In addition to outlining the funding plan, the mayor offered a personal note about his fondness for the neighborhood’s amusement attractions. He mentioned recently riding the Phoenix roller coaster and praised other classic rides, including the Cyclone.