Atlantic Yards, The Morning After
Yesterday’s news about the closing of the bond and real estate deals related to the Atlantic Yards project (along with the go-ahead for property seizure via eminent domain) certainly had an air of finality about them, but the project’s opponents are insisting that the fight is not over. “The property owners and tenants fighting to…
Yesterday’s news about the closing of the bond and real estate deals related to the Atlantic Yards project (along with the go-ahead for property seizure via eminent domain) certainly had an air of finality about them, but the project’s opponents are insisting that the fight is not over. “The property owners and tenants fighting to keep their homes and business will vigorously challenge the legal papers filed by the ESDC today,” said Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn in a press release. DDDB also points out that there are still two outstanding lawsuits that would “stop it cold,” one of which will be heard in state Supreme Court on January 15. I want to make it very clear to the Governor, the ESDC and Ratner, that Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn, our scores of allied community organizations and our thousands of supporters will not easily give up our fight against Atlantic Yards, said Daniel Goldstein. The lawyer for DDDB, Jeff Baker, had a slightly more tempered take on the situation: “Obviously this fight is in its final stages, but it is not over.” Meanwhile State Senator Bill Perkins continues to hammer away at the Governor and Attorney General for a written statement regarding the legality (or lack thereof) of the unusual manner in which process for issuing the arena bonds was structured to avoid review by the Public Authorities Control Board.
AY Fight in Final Stages, But Not Over, says Attorney [AY Report]
Sports Briefing: Gains for Atlantic Yards [NY Times]
Documents Signed, Atlantic Yards Moves Ahead [NY Times]
Ratner closes on Atlantic Yards [NY Post]
Bloomberg Cheers Ratner; Opponents Continue To Fight [Brooklyn Eagle]
Photo by Tracy Collins
FSRG’s post is that of an adult’s -nothing to add to it. On that note, wishing a Happy Holiday to all (regardless of your position on AY)!
All fair points fsrg. But I’d argue that we are considering the long term effects – an even larger drain on taxpayers than the initial corporate welfare we gave Ratner.
Stadiums make money for the owners. Look at Yankee stadium, look at Shea. My favorite example – look at the Texas Rangers when Dubya owned them. An almost flawless case study of how to get taxpayer money into private hands. Truly brilliant -if you happen to own the Nets, Texas Rangers or almost any other team.
If you’re a taxpayer you just got fiscally screwed. Our tax dollars are on their way to Russia on a private jet.
DDDB and the other opponents have one HUGE HUGE problem….the law is against them. Not a little bit, not subject to interpretation – just completely and totally against them.
You may not like the law as it is, you may think it is evil, against the public interest, favors the ‘big guy’ – whatever…but DDDB has NO LEGAL STANDING (and frankly havent since Kelo was decided).
The reason why their fight is obnoxious, cultish and despicable is because rather then working to change the law (through election, referendum and legislation), they are ABUSING the process to simply use ‘legal process harassment’ to achieve their aims. Which not only is costly (to everyone)and probably mute at this point but it ultimately leaves NO legacy from the fight (i.e. if a ‘new AY fight developed somewhere else – say Queens for example – the next ‘opponents’ would have no new tools, no new legal precedent, they’d have essentially nothing from DDDB crusade) –
Of course this tactic makes perfect sense because as I have been saying for the last 6 year, Dan Goldstein is a NIMBY – he doesnt (really) care about ED, density, environment, infrastructure, etc…what he cares about is himself and promoting his self-aggrandizing agenda that gave his otherwise pedestrian and privileged life purpose when chance brought AY and his new condo together.
Look I am glad that DDDB will likely fail, and I generally support ED, because like IMO gun-rights; speech rights, religious rights (etc) – even property rights have some limits. and again IMHO schools and Roads arent the only legitimate public interest in the world (not that the NIMBYS dont protest ED in those case too)
But as in most areas, the nuances concerning the use of ED and development in general (in NYC) could probably use some focus and thought and although imo I would favor removing much “local” input in favor of a more citywide pov; having a legitimate debate and clear legislation would benefit everyone. But alas that debate (and possible new legislation) will not occur as a result of AY because like Sherman marching toward Atlanta – DDDB (and other like minded narcissists) are simply intent on burning everything down rather then considering the long-term effects.
I will celebrate when this is over, as much for the opportunity to walk to a great arena and the environmental sense of building high density at AY, as I will for the defeat (narrowly and rarely) of the forces of obstruction and selfishness.
inch by inch, foot by foot, closer, closer……
Brownstoner is a cult.
It was just SHOCKING to see DDDB come up with more legal threats… Shocking, I tell you. As shocking as the sun rising this morning, and DIBS being a horny Rice/Rice&Beans queen. (sorry, DIBS – but you know I speak the truth).
They seem perfectly rational to me. I’m very happy that my tax money being siphoned off to Ratner and his Russian billionaire friend is causing some outcry.
At christmas I try to donate some money to those less fortunate than me. Ratner drives a Bentley and the Russian chap has a fleet of private jets. Not sure they deserve our charity.
Ditto, bkn4!
since the judges decided to not be sock puppets in the columbia case, i’d say fight on dddb, fight on.
even if you think its a cult, i keep readng AYR and getting an uneasy feeling that if someone bothers to watch(hello brooklyn judges) that this thing is still on shaky ground.
if its a cult, i think its about time for my membership card.
even
DDDB is coming across as very cultish and crazy and not just to those who always supported AY; they seem nuts to everybody by now.
Posted by: traditionalmod at December 24, 2009 9:13 AM
When you go up against someone w/ more money than you it will always appear “cultish and crazy.” Maybe if someone from DDDB built the NY Times (ugly and unnecessary considering the paper’s financials, wonder how much the city gave them in tax breaks for that?) new building they could get better treatment from the media elites and would have a better image.