Another Political Twist for Atlantic Yards
The end-of-term politics around the Atlantic Yards project is getting very interesting. State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who holds the project by the balls with his vote on the Public Authorities Control Board (PACB), had the following to say about the project this weekend on WNBC: In Brooklyn, it’s a mixed bag. There are people…
The end-of-term politics around the Atlantic Yards project is getting very interesting. State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who holds the project by the balls with his vote on the Public Authorities Control Board (PACB), had the following to say about the project this weekend on WNBC:
In Brooklyn, it’s a mixed bag. There are people for it, people against it, and the proposal itself keeps changing somewhat. So we’ll look at it in a very favorable light because development is necessary down there, see how the developer responds to some of the criticism, either because of the mass of the project or some of the traffic.
In his analysis this weekend, Norman Oder theorizes that FCR “would rather compromise significantly with Silver before the end of the year than let the project carry over to a Spitzer administration that might take a closer look at the project.” How much of a compromise? As much as 20 to 30 percent, think Oder. Interesting.
Silver to View AY in Favorable Light [AY Report]
ESDC Certifies Yards Environmental Report [Brownstoner]
What’s wrong will low paying jobs? Would you prefer if people stayed on welfare rather than work hard for a living?
I also must compliment the AY proposal supporters for their sexist view of the world. Why on earth should families and working people suffer because of traffic, increased commuting time, bad jobs available for low wages just for the opportunity to watch a bunch of young guys exercising in an arena? Time to wake up people and realize that it’s not okay to take up precious resources from our tax dollars just because there are guys out there playing sports. That’s why the federal govt. enacted Title 9 – to give woman an equal opp. to play sports. And now this bogus hype of you-know-what about how we are all supposed to be greatful to have the opportunity to shell out hundreds of dollars for a tix to watch some guys work up a sweat. Makes you wonder why people get off on this stuff?
“Ratner already controls 95% of the development site”
“Ratner will simply reconfigure the development site and build around the 5% he doesn’t already own.”
“like a dagger in the heart!”
“a punch to the stomach!”
“Nets game will bring pain to your heart.”
Geez, aren’t these guys just rare and lovely specimens.
And we trust these suits when they smile and promise us to conduct themselves legitimately and appropriately in our best interest.
We trust them with the future of our neighborhoods. The same guys that wouldn’t bat an eye while they take our home.
Anon 3:35 PM, you don’t know Brooklyn. Your fight has just begun.
You people are crazy! This is in fact a done deal – the Nets and the arena will be in Brooklyn in 2009! DDDB has absolutely no shot at prevailing in court and even if by a small miracle the opposition did happen to win Ratner already controls 95% of the development site, not to mention Atlantic Terminal and Atlantic Center across the street.
Ratner will simply reconfigure the development site and build around the 5% he doesn’t already own. A measure of last resort would be to replace Atlantic Terminal and/or Atlantic Center with the arena. Either way you slice it, an arena will be built in downtown Brooklyn and Nets will make Brooklyn their home in 2009!
How dumb will some of you feel when the Nets are playing to sold out crowds in two years and the entire borough of Brooklyn is supporting the team? Every slam dunk or hockey goal (trust me, the Devils are coming too) highlight on ESPN will be like a dagger in the heart! Every camera shot of celebratory Brooklyn fans will be a punch to the stomach! Every plea from a son, daughter or grandchild to be taken to a Nets game will bring pain to your heart. Every sport special on ABC or ESPN highlighting the great success of the Brooklyn Nets, the unconditional loyalty of Brooklyn fans and the positive impact that the Nets had on the borough will be an indelible reminder to all of the selfish and insidious nature of the NIMBY opposition. In their misguided and futile effort to keep the Nets out of Brooklyn, DG and NO have made themselves persona non grata in these parts for sure. Rightfully so!
Anonymous 12:48 PM wrote:
“Arnelo, I will not write a letter on your or DDDBs behalf. Why? Because I, along with the vast majority of Brooklyn residents, think that Atlantic Yards is in the best long term interest of this borough.”
i don’t know if you have checked the latest poll yet but the vast majority of Brooklyn residents are now AGAINST the project. you are speaking for no one here but your mis-informed self. give it up.
Funny that the person posting at 1:18 thinks that the Atlantic Yards area is a, “ritzy hood.” I thought that AY supporters all thought it was a blighted area and that’s why eminent domain was appropriate. Thanks for the update.
brownstoner,
please consider deleting the extremely offensive comments of Eryximachus at 1:18pm. thank you.
In response to 12:48, “well educated…white collar professional”, most people who are against the project are not anti-development zealots. In fact, the name DDDB, for example, begins with the plea for DEVELOPMENT, just not a publicly subsidized type of development that’s too big and poorly planned and without public input.
I don’t believe that opponents are trying to hijack the project, but rather make reasonable changes to ensure the long-term benefit for Brooklyn and NYC.
By the way, remember that ESDC is in charge; Atlantic Yards isn’t a BROOKLYN Project, it’s a State project.
Eryximachus, our beloved racist and Neo-Nazi returns. Didn’t you get enough of a sound thrashing from your post last week. You must be a masochist at best.
If you really love AY then I would advice you to ‘stfu’. Because you are doing them a dis-service. I would imagine that ratner and his group would not want to be at all associated with your likes.
No one is suggesting that rational minded people can never support AY. But if you’re rational and you care about the borough and aren’t about padding your pocket, then you would recognize that this is the ‘biggest development initiative’ not in the borough’s history but in the nation’s history.
Even pro-AY supporters and pro-Brooklyn would allow the project to go through the proper approval process. You wouldn’t attempt to bypass the normal checks and balances.