Bruce-Ratner-1008.jpgAnyone capable of sequestering $2 billion in public subsidies and 22 acres of private and public land (most through voluntary purchase and MTA approval, but some through still-pending eminent domain) for a single project, Atlantic Yards, has influence and then some. But even Bruce Ratner, president of Forest City Ratner, may not be mightier than a crash in the financial market, though he recently managed to fit through a loophole in the IRS’s tougher arena financing regulations. If built, Atlantic Yard’s basketball arena and high-rises will change life in Brooklyn forever. If not, it could be “Atlantic Lots,” blighting Brooklyn for a decades. Ratner is also responsible for three other local game-changers: Metro Tech, Atlantic Center and Terminal, and Lowe’s (the first big box store in Gowanus), but his bid to build the tallest tower in Brooklyn, City Tech, fell through. At least his rental tower at 80 Dekalb looks to be on track.
Brooklyn’s Top 50 Most Influential No. 11-20 [Brownstoner]
Brooklyn’s Top 50 Most Influential No. 21-30 [Brownstoner]
Brooklyn’s Top 50 Most Influential No. 31-40 [Brownstoner]
Brooklyn’s Top 50 Most Influential No. 41-50 [Brownstoner]
Photo by Tracy Collins


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. Good list, Mr. B. I would have added somewhere to your 50 (in no particular order):
    Dan Rice, Jehovah’s Witnesses (they still have a lot to do/sell/develop)
    John Sexton, NYU (their merger with Poly is going to have huge impact)
    DeBlasio/Yassky
    Tim King/Chris Havens/Brian Leary