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December 20, 2006

Silver Might Give AY Approval After All

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On the heels of yesterday's rumors that Sheldon Silver would not give his approval for Atlantic Yards in 2006, and thereby deny his political enemy George Pataki credit for the project, The Post is reporting this morning that the Assembly Speaker might indeed sign off on the project--as long as Pataki does not link it to "pork barrel" projects.
Sheldon Close to Brooklyn Arena OK [NY Post]
Shelly Silver, Obstructionist? [NY Post]
Atlantic Yards Vote Delayed 'Til Next Year [Brownstoner]
Photo by newington




Posted by Brownstoner at 8:54 AM | Comments (23)
Categories: Development

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Comments

I think this part of the war against AY is over. They will approve it today. The various lawsuits are the only defense against it left.

The state has been railroading (ahem) this project through since day one, how could a moral obligation to the taxpayers suddely stymie the whole thing at this point?

Posted by: Shahn Andersen at December 20, 2006 10:02 AM

Agreed. Never place faith in "three men in a room" to choose the fiscally responsible course of action.

Look for help from the conservative Supreme Court who place value on private property.

Posted by: chuck at December 20, 2006 10:11 AM

Silver still has to look forward to working with Spitzer. And Spitzer has said he wants more review of the financials. So if Silver rubber stamps this thing he will have to explain to NYS voters why he went down this road. And there is no explaination.

Posted by: Anonymous at December 20, 2006 10:32 AM

D-O-N-E-D-E-A-L!!!

Posted by: Anonymous at December 20, 2006 10:52 AM

D-U-M-B-D-E-A-L!!!

Posted by: Anonymous at December 20, 2006 10:57 AM

Silver certainly is an enigma....what could he possibly gain by approving it now??

Posted by: Anonymous at December 20, 2006 11:04 AM

I hope Silver approves AY and that the project gets built as planned. I have no problem with upscale/high density development. This is infact New York City isn't it? IMHO, the entire development will be an economic boost for the area and will expedite the areas growth and development. Politicians support the project because it's a critical component of the city's "Brooklyn Revitalization Plan".

On another note, what's with all the talk about 16 skyscrapers? I've yet to see a photo or rendering of 16 skyscrapers? How are opponents of AY defining "skyscrapers". All I see is two or three tall buildings and a bunch of much smaller builidings ranging from 6 - 10 stories. When did 6 - 10 stories qualify as a skyscraper?

A skyscraper is a very tall, continuously habitable building. Although there is no official definition, a minimum height of approximately 150 meters or 492.12 feet is often used as a criterion for a building to qualify as a skyscraper. Other criteria like shape and appearance may also affect whether or not a building is considered a skyscraper.

So to all of you AY bashers, please show us all the 16 skyscrapers that will ruin our beloved Brownstone Brooklyn? I'm waiting......

Posted by: Anonymous at December 20, 2006 11:53 AM

try 20-60 stories. 16 of 'em

here are your non-skyscrapers, call them towers if you prefer:

http://newyorkmetro.com/news/features/ratzilla060807_4_560.jpg

Posted by: Anonymous at December 20, 2006 12:36 PM

Nice rendering but I agree. Where are the skyscrapers? I'm sorry. Am I missing something?

Posted by: Anon at December 20, 2006 12:48 PM

Here they are, in white:

http://newyorkmetro.com/news/features/ratzilla060807_4_560.jpg

Posted by: Anonymous at December 20, 2006 1:22 PM

Ha! Are those the 16 SKYSCRAPERS?!?! LOL! Hilarious! Exaggerating penis size is one thing but must we do the same with buildings too?!?

Posted by: Anonymous at December 20, 2006 1:36 PM

Anon 1:36,

Don't you realize that exaggeration and fear are all that Atlantic Yards opponents know? It hasn't done them a damn bit of good, yet they cling to this approach fiercely. It's a textbook case of insanity.

Posted by: Anonymous at December 20, 2006 1:57 PM

What? Are you saying that the artist's depiction is inaccurate? If so, how? Please provide some detail.

Posted by: Stanley Steamer at December 20, 2006 2:03 PM

Anon at 11:53 -- "two or three tall buildings and a bunch of much smaller builidings ranging from 6 - 10 stories"

With this you show yourself to be completely and utterly ignorant of the facts of the Atlantic Yard proposal. Why don't you go do some research and reading and come back when you are up to speed? For example, did you know that the 22 acres of AY, as currently proposed, would be the densest housing tract in the entire United States...by a factor of two? Would you like to explain to me how such a project would blend in with the existing urban environment?

You can view graphic renderings of the project on a number of websites. Try Atlantic Yards Report and search the blog for "How Big".

Posted by: Anonymous at December 20, 2006 5:44 PM

Census tracts can be redefined. There are many parts of Manhattan with similar density. In this case, the census tract is rather large BECAUSE HALF THE AREA WAS A TRAIN YARD!!!! NOT A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT!

Duh.

There is no precident in NYC that any development must conform with the previously existing development. If that EVER held true the entire city would be single family homes and farms.

As for the buildings, the vast majority of the 16 buildings are NOT skyscrapers. They are midrise apartment buildings similar to most of the public housing in Brooklyn in terms of basic design and height. Literally hundreds of apartment buildings in Manhattan are the same size as 12 of these buildings.

Posted by: Eryximachus at December 20, 2006 5:49 PM

according to the NYTimes online at 5:12pm, it's been approved.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/20/nyregion/20cnd-brooklyn.html?hp&ex=1166677200&en=71c26da803e14024&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Posted by: Anonymous at December 20, 2006 6:47 PM

It was approved the day Bruce Ratner called his old college buddy George Pataki and announced his intention to do the project. Now we get to see if the courts are as chummy with him as the state government is.

Posted by: Shahn Andersen at December 20, 2006 8:59 PM

Shahn, it's over dude. Now let's not start the lame excuses regarding why the courts will uphold the ED of the AY site. You guys are utterly pathetic. Let's move on. It's a done deal!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous at December 20, 2006 10:52 PM

I wish this AY project would get on with it! I love the idea. I'm sorry for those who don't, but I encourage you to put your efforts into preserving building heights and development in Brownstone neighborhoods, because that's what needs to be saved, not some cruddy rail yards. Oh yeah, encourage the project to be intelligently planned in terms of traffic and strain on resources.

Posted by: Ed at December 20, 2006 10:53 PM

How can you encourage or discourage anything to do with a project that has had no public input? I love to see my tax dollars used for something that will affect me and my neighborhood, but could care less about anything the public has to say.

Posted by: Anonymous at December 21, 2006 12:04 AM

No public input. 50 years complaining that Brooklyn died the day the Dodgers left, so AY brings back a major league basketball team. Development without consideration to economic diversity, so team up with Acorn, affordable housing's staunchest advocate. Criticize the bland architecture of new construction, so hire Frank Gehry, one of the world's most respected. No public input.

Posted by: Anonymous at December 21, 2006 1:20 AM

VICTORY!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous at December 21, 2006 7:26 AM

Dear Ed, If you were following this story at all closely you'd know that 19th century townhouses (aka brownstones) have already been demolished by FCR and, if the project gets built, more will follow, on Dean St, 6th Ave and Pacific. You can't separate AY from wanting to "preserve building heights and development in Brownstone neighborhoods." They are one and the same.

Posted by: NeoGrec at December 21, 2006 3:42 PM

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