Sad? This is the best thing to happen to Coney in a long time. Thor has nothing to do with this. It's not even on their land. The city brought the circus in. If the circus wasn't there that would be an empty lot. As someone whose family has direct ties to Coney history, it does my heart good to see some new quality entertainment come to Coney.
If you want to see what Thor has brought to Coney here's a picture of their failed "Festival by the Sea."
Thor couldn't even get the correct tents for Coney (they need to withstand hurricane gusts) so the city made them take them down. Unlike Ringling Bros. who actually paved the ground with asphalt and installed drains which connected with the city sewers, Thor just left a dirt floor for his flea market with no drainage. Imagine trying to shop while walking around in that mud.
Thor's Festival by Sea, which was supposed to be a flea market combined with a carnival, is nothing more than a blight on Coney.
To think, Thor evicted the Go Karts, Batting Cages, and Bumper Boats
and this is what he puts in.
The old was Coney was not going Bankrupt. Astroland was evicted because Thor would not offer them a lease.
The city neglected Coney for the past 50 years. What you saw as filth that you loved, was really the city not caring enough to encourage new rides and attractions. Instead they allowed land speculators to buy up land and create vacant lots.
My family's ride the Thunderbolt Roller Coaster in the good times
and after the city demolished the ride in 2000.
Another vacant lot was created.
This is why I think the circus with it's beautiful tents are a sight for sore eyes out in Coney.
