Astroland As Bargaining Chip

The good old “Balloon Water Race Game” doesn’t seem like that much of a bargaining chip, but there it is:

A day after the unexpected news that Coney Island’s Astroland would survive until next summer, negotiations for an extension appear to have bogged down over rezoning concessions the site’s developer is seeking from the city, a Brooklyn councilman said yesterday.

The developer, Thor Equities, was reportedly planning to give the storied amusement park a reprieve until 2008, but Astroland’s owner said she has not been offered the lease extension that Councilman Domenic Recchia Jr. (D-Brooklyn) has been working to broker.

Astroland’s 45-year run was expected to end after this summer, and the go-karts, batting cages, bumper boats and miniature golf are already closed.

“Of course, if Thor Equities wishes to provide a lease under reasonable terms, Astroland would be very interested in negotiating an agreement,” Astroland owner Carol Albert said in a statement.

At Recchia’s urging, Thor seemed willing to give Astroland one more season at its current location, the councilman said. However, by yesterday afternoon, the prospects of a deal suffered a blow when Thor president Joseph Sitt told Astroland officials that “they would extend the lease only if they get the rezoning that they want,” according to Recchia.

Location Scout: Coney Island Amusement Core.