Atlantic Yards: Time to Take a Shower
Regardles of whether you’re for, againt or somewhere in the middle on the Atlantic Yards project, it’s hard not to be disgusted by the transparent dog-and-pony show that’s gone on in recent days culminating in FRC “accepting” the city planning commission’s recommendation of a 8% cut in the scale of the project. Kinda makes you…
Regardles of whether you’re for, againt or somewhere in the middle on the Atlantic Yards project, it’s hard not to be disgusted by the transparent dog-and-pony show that’s gone on in recent days culminating in FRC “accepting” the city planning commission’s recommendation of a 8% cut in the scale of the project. Kinda makes you feel like you want to take a shower. Opponents have been warning of this political gamesmanship for a while–ask for the moon and then look like you have compromised when you agree to a smaller size. It’s pretty disgusting stuff and frankly we had thought Amanda Burden (who had always struck us as a pretty straight shooter) was above that. Apparently not.
AY Developer Acepts 8% Reduction [NY Times]
“that’s just the point – he didn’t – extell and unity outbid him -its a sweetheart deal.”
IMHO, that is the real issue. The gvt should look out for the taxpayers first. That and using eminent domain.
And then, when he gets into an insider deal like that, that opens the project for everyone to start to demand “affordable” housing and all kinds of other nonsense.
“and he outbids anyone else, then we should just let him.”
Josh that’s just the point – he didn’t – extell and unity outbid him -its a sweetheart deal.
“They become rich by perverting law, ”
Anyone else find it slightly ironic that this poster would say this, in defense of a billionaire developer who is doing just that?
“The argument that the railyards MUST be developed has never made sense to me.”
I think this underscores my point. If FCR can pay for the costs of burying the yards and whatever infrastructure is required, and can offer a decent price to the city, and he outbids anyone else, then we should just let him.
And then, if he’s paying for, then short of a toxic waste dump, we should just let him do what he wants.
Some people don’t like the scale? I’m sure other people like the scale. Some people think the buildins are ugly? Some people like them. That just doesn’t seem like anyone’s business, but his – assuming that he buys the space free and clear without a subsidy.
D-O-N-E-D-E-A-L!!!
Relocating the LIRR railyards and building a platform over them are highly complex and expensive engineering tasks. The costs involved in these two specific tasks are likely to be the single strongest driver of the extreme scale of the AY project — even though the DEIS does not reveal them. So is this infact an appropriate site for redevelopment? For efficient functioning, all major urban centers must include power stations, water works, hospitals, school bus parking lots, railyards etc. Few of these structures are aesthetically attractive. In the case of the Vanderbilt Yards, a comprehensive landscaping effort could transform the area. Meanwhile, the other 10+ acres that have been ear-marked for the project can and will redevelop on their own, propelled by current market conditions. The argument that the railyards MUST be developed has never made sense to me.
“The people need this housing, and ultimately the law and the desires of the rich homeowners of Brooklyn are completely, totally irrelevant.”
Okay comrade, so let’s build it on bruce ratner’s 196 acre protected estate, or use eminent domain to build it on his brownstones….
I am glad that you think in a democracy that the law and desires of the people are irrelevant…that sums up forest city’s attitude. you’re pure scum.
“The people need this housing, and ultimately the law and the desires of the rich homeowners of Brooklyn are completely, totally irrelevant.’
SO why were competing projects that would provide more affordable housing rejected? There is NO guarantee of ONE unit of affordable housing in the FC plan.
And you’re accusing us of being ‘rich and privileged’ while justifying subsidizing a billionaire developer…you have some nerve.
“As for the corruption, this is what happens in legalistic societies. When you make a million laws just to keep lawyers employed, nothing can get done without breaking some law. Thus corruption.”
Oh, so this is your justification for giving a billionaire the right to eminent domain to take property away from middle class home owners and business. This is so stupid I wasn’t even going to respond to it, but please, keep posting stuff like this so all can see what low-lifes Forest City Employees (which is what you probably are) and cheerleaders are.
Of course that’s all they can do. These people exhibit more cognitive dissonence than any other population group in history.
They simply cannot accept the fact that they are rich, provincial, self-centered, and that Brooklyn once consisted of farms and no buildings taller than a church steeple.
As for the corruption, this is what happens in legalistic societies. When you make a million laws just to keep lawyers employed, nothing can get done without breaking some law. Thus corruption.
This is why these kinds of rich conservatives always lead to the downfall of societies. They become rich by perverting law, the law becomes irrelevant because it contradicts the actual needs of the people. Eventually, people will just ignore it.
The people need this housing, and ultimately the law and the desires of the rich homeowners of Brooklyn are completely, totally irrelevant.