A quick fact-check of yesterday’s much-hyped state comptroller’s report declaring Coney Island to be booming:

Yesterday state comptroller Thomas DiNapoli issued a report on economic development in Coney Island and Brighton Beach, and declared the two Brooklyn communities to be “back as dynamic neighborhoods where New Yorkers can come to live, work and play,” with job growth far exceeding that of the city as a whole.

DiNapoli’s press statement was quickly snapped up by numerous city news outlets, with the Post’s headline typical: “Report shows huge gains in jobs, population gains for Coney Island.”

It was an odd moment for anyone who’s actually been to Coney Island lately, since there are few obvious signs of a massive renaissance… [read more]