Michael Malott

Coney Island: the Decline & Death of an American Icon Michael Malott

Publisher Marketing: Coney Island has long been an icon of American amusement. For years, Coney Island was ahead of its time and hundreds of thousands flocked to the beachside retreat annually. But the area and parks began a great decline which lasted for decades and introduced gangs, crime, and neighboring housing projects. Buildings became vacant or decayed to a state that their only recourse was to be torn down. However, much of the gritty, seedy character of Coney Island remained and the summers often enticed business owners to rough it out over the winter months. Circus sideshows, souvenir shops, eateries and amusement parks kept Coney Island in the limelight for decades. Most notably the Wonder Wheel Ferris Wheel and the Cyclone Roller Coaster. Now a new corporation has been granted a ten year lease of the 6.2 acres of Coney Island known as the boardwalk. Central Amusements International has gone in and literally given businesses which have made the boardwalk their home, in some case more than 60 years, just 15 days to vacate. They have announced plans to build high-rise hotels, sports bars and even turn the legendary boardwalk into a "cementwalk." This is a last look at this America icon before its ultimate and untimely death at the hands of a corporate giant. Contributor Bio:  Malott, Michael Michael Malott is a San Francisco author who has written and published over twelve titles. Malott lived in San Francisco previously during the mid 1990's and worked personally with Dennis Peron during the days of the legendary San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club and Proposition 215 vote and debate. He also produced a series of Proposition 215 awareness concert events throughout the bay area. Now twenty years later, Malott has returned to San Francisco and has written this book documenting Peron's history and the medical marijuana movement in California from his days at the San Francisco cannabis Buyer's Club to its present state.