Yards Environmental Hearing a Spirited Affair

Hmmm, the last time I heard vitriol being shouted at a public meeting about this development was when the ACORN and BUILD supporters chanted "Tear 'em down, tear 'em down" in response to perfectly civil questions from home-owners in the audience about the use of eminent domain. That meeting also excluded local residents by packing the hall with union members and even high school kids. How do I know? I was sitting next to a group of sullen, bored kids who told me they'd be given t-shirts, snacks and a free bus ride in exchange for attending. This was an earlier mtg, not last night btw, but it's an indication of what the opposition to the project is up against.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 19, 2005 12:50 PM

David has been posting emphatically pro-Ratner comments, pooh-poohing any opposing views as myopic NIMBY-ism, since the topic was first posted, so I don't think any of us are going to change his mind, and that's fine.
But even those who support the project must admit that the lack of accountability demanded of Ratner so far by our elected officials does not bode well for the impact on our neighborhoods. He's surely not going to try and minimize the impact upon traffic, schools, sewers, etc. out of the goodness of his heart, and mike, marty, et al don't seem inclined to make him. So it's down to the community groups.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 19, 2005 12:50 PM

Marty Markowitz may be a big supporter of arena etc. but a Borough President has almost no power and no vote in matter - he is mainly a cheerleader. So you're wasting time and energy him.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 19, 2005 2:29 PM

Dan Goldstein's 4:07 "I'm always right" response, IMO, is symbolic of why the anti-Ratner crowd is failing. Their attitude is an aggressive "you're either with us or against us, and anyone who disagrees with is our enemy!" That approach has definitely turned me off.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 20, 2005 9:47 AM

Hey Lucinda, Coop City is in the Bronx. And I suppose if you want uncongested streets and your sunlight not blocked by tall buildings you should try someplace in New Mexico.
And no matter what you think of Atlantic Center the area still looks much much better than it did 20 years ago - congestion and all.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 20, 2005 5:29 PM

anon 5:29 - if we wanted to live with permanently congested streets and tall buildings blocking out the sun, we'd all be raising our families in times square or midtown! Living in brooklyn is not a reason to roll over and put up with this crap.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 20, 2005 10:47 PM

Babs,

East New York, true or not, is synonymous with crime and violence. That itself would deter many potential fans from attending a game. But you're correct about the needed housing. As Roger Green hinted at the public hearing this week, some of the affordable housing might be placed East of the arena, so you just might get your wish. Of course, this would give the anti-Ratner crowd yet another reason to scream and yelp. Then again, the only thing that would satisfy them is if Ratner called the project quits and the train yards went undeveloped for another century or two.

What specific site near the LIRR and the subway in ENY would you consider for the arena and housing? I'm trying to visualize the area and much of it seems already occupied, either with homes or warehouses. At least with the proposed Prospect Heights site, much of the area is occupied by train yards.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 21, 2005 5:27 PM

" Be honest, many many Brooklyn residents dont live in Manhattan b/c they cant afford it (at least not any real sq ft) - not b/c they wouldnt if they could."

I am anon 10:47, and perhaps we run with different crowds, but I have to disagree. For families with children, brooklyn is far superior - I wouldn't move back to manhattan if you gave me a whole townhouse!

Not everything in bklyn is perfect obviously, and there's no argument that the actual site of the yards could use something beneficial to the community. This project as it stands isn't it.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 21, 2005 5:33 PM

Why is it imperative to develop the railyards? It's a basic part of the city's infrastructure, just like power stations, telephone company buildings, sewage treatment centers, school bus parking lots, etc. etc. I'd be happy to see something built at Atlantic Yards that was appropriate in scale and function. But if the engineering challenges are going to be so expensive to overcome that the project has to be huge to pay all those costs, then maybe it's more prudent for the public's purse and the enviroment to just leave the site as is and do some landscaping around the perimeter. Otherwise, let's get creative and suggest some "brave, visionary" new developments to the business hawks at City Hall. Hey, maybe they could build a platform over Belmont Racetrack, put condos on top, and keep the horses and spectators happy with some strong lighting?

Posted by: Anonymous at October 21, 2005 6:03 PM