Anti-Nets: We're Not Dead Yet, Just Badly Burned
We’re glad Curbed tracked down some photos from yesterday’s protest…we hadn’t been able to find any. Rally 6/7/2005 [Gotard] Brooklyn Stadium Protest [NYC Indy Media] You Bring the Linens [Curbed]
We’re glad Curbed tracked down some photos from yesterday’s protest…we hadn’t been able to find any.
Rally 6/7/2005 [Gotard]
Brooklyn Stadium Protest [NYC Indy Media]
You Bring the Linens [Curbed]
In reference to Malymis’ 12:22 post from 6/9/05
You’re right on point.
I’m a native NY’er and the Williamsburg clock tower should be our highpoint in Bklyn. I don’t want to see 40 story high rises and a stadium (for a team that belongs to some other state) going up here. Bklyn is a place for families and peace and quiet. I understand commerce needs to happen but this is too much commerce and there is nothing good about a building beyond 10 stories here. Plus I don’t much like Ratners bait and switch with regards to the 50-50 housing split. He added more luxury dwellings and shifted the balance to the wealthier people in this city. If this deal goes through it’ll be another nail in the coffin of the Brooklyn middle class. Maybe the same low paying jobs available at the (alledgedly) dead Jets stadium will be available at the new Nets arena. OOO…OOO….I wanna be on the french fryer!!!
You know what Ratner? Why don’t you go build this thing where your people live…the upper west side! I’m sure they’d LOVE it!!
Who do we email so we can voice our opinions?
The merits or faults of the Ratner plan notwithstanding, I think David makes one good point beneath all the FULL CAPS shouting. The opponents of the Ratner plan seem to focus almost entirely on how they believe it will hurt their immediate neighborhood. Which is all fine and relevant, but like it or not the concerns of the neighbors is not the only consideration in a project in NYC. If it were, we woul dhave no waste transfer stations, electrical substations, homeless shelters, halfway houses, etc.
If you want to mobilize support outside your immediate neighborhood, then tell us how what you want is good for the city as a whole. For instance, I hear criticism of the level of subsidies the project will get — but I’d love to see a substantiated argument that it will not generate more money for the city in the long run, or that an alternate project would be a better deal for the city in the long run.
I’m not saying, “screw the neighborhood.” I live in Park Slope not far from 4th Avenue so I’m kinda affected too, but I also know that my personal worries about my view or traffic or parking or whatnot should not be the sole factor in deciding on a major development project.
I think I agree more with David than his detractors. To respond to ‘anonymous’ points.
1. True the shopping mall that went up is
horrible looking. Not sure if Atlantic Center is the mall or the newer bldg. above the LIRR – but I don’t have complaints on that one.
Yet – supposedly a renowned architect is involved in this new project – and when 1st announced was well received/actually raved by architectural critic in NYTimes. Nonetheless
its the developer choice as long as conforms to
bldg. codes, city planning, zoning regs., etc.
This is not some competition like World Trade Center.
2. Why one developer? because its the developer that came up with idea and is trying to
assemble the parcels/spending his $. This was not a city proposal/idea to develop area and then sent out for RFPs or ideas.
3. Scale not appropriate for Brooklyn. Downtown Brooklyn is major transportation, commercial hub of NYC – and this scale development is quite appropriate – and needed if NYC is to continue to prosper. All high density, large scale projects can’t be in midtown and downtown
manhattan. Look how JerseyCity has developed – at the expense of NYC – by large scale, high rise development.
4. What happened to Pacific St. – so disrespecful? Sorry, you’re grasping on that one.
5. Like it or not -sports are part of our culture and basketball is major sport in this country. I prefer that kids respect and lookup
to athletes and participate in sports – makes for healthier more well-rounded citizens. Arena can be used for school sports events also. Not so many facilities avail in our city.
As far as tax dollars go – fair question. But
what are the costs – and how are opponents calculating their estimates vs. what proponents
claim. How much for the arena, how much because of subsidized apts. and what is likely economic return. Both sides claims I think need scrutiny.
6. Weak point. Neighborhoods are hardly connected
as is and this isn’t going to make it more so.
Even if it did, what exactly is the problem? Prospect Pk divides ‘hoods’ – do we put some more streets thru that?
I believe project (as any major project will)certainly will have negs. but
the positives far outweigh the negatives on this one.
When all the brownstones and townhouses were built in the 1800’s – Do you think the
town elders called the farmers/workers and asked how they thought the development fit into context
and what it would do to traffic, quality of life, etc? Or if they liked the architecture of the new housing?
Reason why Ratner master plan does not work.
1 I don’t trust Ratner to build anything decent
(Atlantic center is pathetic, ask anyone who knows anything about arch.) Imagine more of that in super size scale – disaster.
2 Why one developer is developing whole yards, why is not split to smaller block. More variety, more diversity, more Brooklyn
3 Scale is not appropriate for Brooklyn context (You were asking where? what about lower Manhattan, context is right there).
This scale is not HUMANE.
This whole modernistic idea of building tall set back tower is so bankrupt, so not working (there are hundreds examples of failure of modernist urban planning)
We need to start think different: lower, more diverse, with respect for pedestrians, more Interesting not a mega block with mega towers
4 What happened to Pacific.st? Where did It go ? So disrespectful.
5 Who needs sport arena in the city anyway? This hood will look like Madison square garden surroundings.
My tax money should go for Schools and Subway not for private arena.
6 It does not connect, it separates neighborhoods.
All this points are address in UNITY plan
http://www.dddb.net/public/AYDWS.pdf
Please David find some real arguments why Ratner plan is better.
It is not about DD and blimpie it is a class war.
Thats why is so hot, but i agree there should be more action on Brownstoner. This project is a disaster for Brooklyn.
Any one knows how could we help to prevent it?
It is not about DD and blimpie it is a class war.
Thats why is so hot, but i agree there should be more action on Brownstoner. This project is a disaster for Brooklyn.
Any one knows how could we help to prevent it?
Does it seem that arena/atlantic yards is less controversial than DunkinDonuts and Blimpie in FortGreene?
Please, David we are not anti averything.
We just think we deserve resonable, cywilized planing for all the taxes we pay.
Please compare to diffrent masterplans and tell ma honestly witch one is better and why.
For me it is no brainer.
You dont need to be an architect common sence is enough.
http://www.bball.net
http://www.dddb.net/public/AYDWS.pdf
It’s easy to slap a simplistic label—”anti-everything”—on folks who happen to question the priorities of what appears to be your industry, David. (Your link directs to something called “Bi-Coastal Properties: Manhattan Quality in the Bronx.” What’s that you were saying about non-indigenous?) The reality is we’re not anti-everything, we’re opposed to wealthy, connected developers doing dumb, out-of-scale, inorganic development in OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. We’re opposed to their crony electeds who allow the public process to be ignored and who conveniently listen to only those cherry-picked community groups who’ve supported the project from the outset without considering the myriad of legitimate concerns that need to be balance. If maximizing the number of jobs and affordable housing is the only good, then why not trash neighborhoods all over the city in order to erect huge projects? Why not carve out a bit of Prospect Park and turn it into a tax-generating center? Because good planning requires a balancing of legitimate interests. Do try to be a bit more sophisticated in your analysis, Mr. Real Estate. Glib swipes don’t add much to this important discussion.