...Dreamland amusement park, set up to replace Coney Island's iconic Astroland, was shuttered yesterday, with its operator more than $600,000 behind in rent. The fun fair on Surf Avenue and West 10th Street was padlocked by landowner Joe Sitt, who had leased the site of the old theme park to Anthony Raffaelle.

Since the carnival rides and freak show opened in May, only $30,000 of rent has been paid, said Sitt's spokesman, Stefan Friedman....

"It's an unfortunate development, not having rides and activities across the street," said Carol Albert, who used to own Astroland and continues to operate the Cyclone roller coaster. "If there isn't much to do in Coney Island," she said, "people will go home early. It's already been a difficult summer."...

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08222009/news/...ides_185783.htm

Sounds like things are going from bad to worse for Coney Island.

..."Fifty percent come for the beaches and the other 50 percent come for the rides," said Peter Agrapides of Williams Candy. "So when the rides shut down and the beaches, what does that mean? I don't know. No business at all."...

The effect of weather, including Hurricane Bill, on Coney Island:

http://www.ny1.com/Content/Top_Stories/104...es/Default.aspx

It's Over...Dreamland Closed For Season:

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/32/35...ead.html?comm=1

Dreamland Reopens for Labor Day Weekend:

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/105...nd/Default.aspx