By: Hal C Clarke

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani may be earning rare praise from critics for backing a Business Improvement District (BID) in Coney Island — a move that, if successful, could spark much-needed commercial revival in the Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood, the New York Post reported.

The NY Post’s opinion piece argues that while Mamdani’s tenure has been defined by bold progressive policies and heated political debates, his support for establishing a BID in Coney Island represents pragmatic, pro-economic development leadership that many residents and business advocates have long wanted to see.

Coney Island, known for its iconic Wonder Wheel and Cyclone roller coaster, has struggled for years to attract the sort of year-round commercial activity that other middle-class New York neighborhoods enjoy. Despite post-pandemic gains in housing development and infrastructure upgrades, the retail corridors on Surf and Mermaid Avenues remain sparse, with limited options beyond basic services like pharmacies and gyms.

The new BID, scheduled to launch in July with a $1 million budget, aims to change that by enhancing cleanliness, safety and overall appeal along key commercial strips — and by actively recruiting mainstream retailers and service businesses that Coney Island currently lacks.

Proponents told The Post that this could make the neighborhood more attractive not only to visitors but also to residents who often travel miles for everyday shopping and amenities. For many locals, that gap in retail is not just an inconvenience — it’s a sign that Coney Island isn’t yet a fully functioning urban community.

“Let’s hope the new one can raise the area to the next level,” wrote The Post, noting that a well-run BID can help persuade businesses to invest in an area previously considered off-limits for mainstream economic activity.

Critics of the mayor have often slammed him for prioritizing “woke” policies and affordability mandates at the expense of balanced community growth. According to the Post, much of Coney Island’s recent housing boom consists of affordable or supportive units that, while vital, have not created enough market-rate demand to sustain widely-desired retail.

That’s left storefronts largely empty — a situation that the BID’s backers hope will change. By supplementing municipal services like sanitation and street beautification and injecting fresh resources into Coney Island’s business districts, the project could help build a stronger commercial foundation and attract brands and services residents say they need.

The Post’s commentary also acknowledged that BIDs — and Coney Island’s in particular — face skepticism from some who fear gentrification or question whether a relatively modest budget can make a meaningful difference. Still, the piece suggested that Mamdani’s willingness to support such a plan marks a rare moment of consensus between residents seeking tangible improvements and city leadership.

“If Coney Island thrives through this initiative, it may prove that the mayor’s approach to economic development can be more than symbolic,” the NY Post wrote.