Judge Gives Ratner Go-Ahead To Start Demo
February 14, 2006 — A Manhattan judge ruled in favor of Forest City Ratner, allowing the developer to demolish 5 buildings that stand in the footprints of the proposed Nets Arena in Brooklyn. Although community groups tried to stop him, the judge says Ratner has the right to tear down 5 buildings near the Atlantic…
February 14, 2006 — A Manhattan judge ruled in favor of Forest City Ratner, allowing the developer to demolish 5 buildings that stand in the footprints of the proposed Nets Arena in Brooklyn. Although community groups tried to stop him, the judge says Ratner has the right to tear down 5 buildings near the Atlantic Railyards. Ratner says they’re unsafe while plaintiff’s argued an independent evaluation should be required. The buildings sit on land owned by Ratner. Asbestos removal is underway and with this victory, Ratner hopes to start demolition as early as next week. “It’s a relief to think that we’re very close to demolishing these structures, which are a hazard to the people who work and live in the adjoining buildings,” said Jeffrey Braun, an attorney for Ratner. There was a victory for the dozen community groups that banded together against Ratner. They were able to get a lawyer removed from the case. David Paget, an attorney for the Empire State Development Corporation, which is overseeing the environmental impact of the project, once worked for Ratner. The judge agreed with the plaintiffs calling it a conflict of interest.
Judge Rules in Favor of Ratner [NY1]
Demolition Can Proceed for Arena [NY Times]
Key Buildings Get Heave-Ho [NY Daily News]
“People never like activists personalities and always think their tactics and strategies could be better, whether its Patti Hagan or Malcolm X.”
Comparing Patti Hagan to Malcolm X is absurd, but if you insist…
Malcolm X was highly effective in mobilizing people and getting his message out. What has Patti Hagan accomplished, aside from making an ass of herself? Oh well, in the end, she can return to her million-dollar brownstone and further delude herself into thinking that she made a difference.
People never like activists personalities and always think their tactics and strategies could be better, whether its Patti Hagan or Malcolm X.
You’re basically full of crap until you put yourself out there, try to organize people, and do the hard work of making change happen.
Thanks for the backup, David. My debating opponent here knows exactly what I’m saying, but, like most AY opponents, has no tolerance for a differing viewpoint – hence, s/he can think of nothing better to do than goad me.
Hence, I will stop taking the bait and make this my final post.
Go Nets!
I think its clear that what Annonymous@204 is saying is that the shreiking ‘sky is falling’ over the top style is hurting the AY-opposition message and effectiveness – its not that complex
So you favor a different development than that proposed by FCRC, but you just don’t like the style of the opposition?
Wrong again.
To repeat, I am saying that the tactics of arena opponents have flopped, and the way that the self-appointed leaders have conducted themselves publicly has a lot to do with that. Thankfully, their response to this criticism has been the same as yours. This means that they will continue using the same ineffective tactics, thereby ensuring that AY becomes a reality all the sooner.
What I believe on the AY plan is a separate matter and has nothing to do with the above.
So you base your opinions on any given issue according to the attractiveness of a given spokesperson? Interesting approach!
“But if you can get beyond Dan Goldstein and Patti Hagan’s personalities, which frankly aren’t the issue here…”
Yes, it is the issue. That’s why it was raised. The point about the way they present themselves was made to underscore the ineffectiveness of their approach. Patti Hagan’s disruptive behavior at Marty’s inaugural party surely didn’t win her any converts. In the end, she and the others are preaching to a dwindling choir.
I can understand why people are focusing on the personalities of the Atlantic Yards opposition. This is, afterall, Fox News America we live in. And that’s the personality-driven way we do our public dialogue and debate.
But if you can get beyond Dan Goldstein and Patti Hagan’s personalities, which frankly aren’t the issue here, it’s hard not to notice that the way this Ratner deal is going down is rotten and undemocratic, the developer’s previous projects have been horrible, and legit public concerns are just being totally ignored and undiscussed.
This is exactly the kind of development that almost had the BQE running straight through Brooklyn Heights. I bet the opponents of that project were also a little bit unpleasant.