Local Pols Want to See Ratner's Shrinkage
The Daily News reported this weekend that a group of six local politicians wants to cut back the size of the Atlantic Yards project by about a third. Led by Assemblyman James Brennan (D-Brooklyn) Assemblyman Roger Green (who’s been a big supporter of the project thus far) are introducing a bill that would reduce the…
The Daily News reported this weekend that a group of six local politicians wants to cut back the size of the Atlantic Yards project by about a third. Led by Assemblyman James Brennan (D-Brooklyn) Assemblyman Roger Green (who’s been a big supporter of the project thus far) are introducing a bill that would reduce the project to 6 million square feet. In exchange for the 3 million-square-foot reduction, they’re offering to cut the amount Ratner has to pay to the MTA from $450 million to $140 million; in addition, under the proposal, the state would subsidize the 2,000 affordable apartments that have been proposed–the logic being that therefore Ratner wouldn’t have to build as much to clear a profit.
Pols Try Cutting Ratner’s Yards by a Third [NY Daily News]
Ratner, you have the land, the policians and the support of the public behind you, now give Brooklyn something “world-class, imaginative and beautiful.”
Those are not necessarily entry level jobs anymore. More and more, older people and people with children depend on them just to subsist. But what saying is that the construction phase will get the highpaying jobs. So the unions will make even more money, then they leave to go to the next job. Union people for the most part make good pay and excellent benefits. They have protections in place. The low-paying, “entry-level” jobs the Ratner project will create will neither be enough to allow someone to make a basic living wage, most will be dead-end jobs, and many more will be part time only. So the decent jobs go to the developer and the trade unions, but not to the people being used as political leverage and the easing of Ratner’s conmscience. As if that were possible.
I find it amusing when people belittle the service jobs that the arena, retail and hotel space will provide.
Besides the fact that people all over this boro (in the projects and everywher else) are clamoring for these jobs. The entry jobs are essential entry points for those who arent blessed with college degrees or even HS diplomas. No one is trying to sell wrking at Starbucks or taking tickets at an arena as a job from which you’ll be able to buy a $750 per sq ft condo; but at the same time w/o a successful working record on your resume, no one is giving the GED prospect the next level job on the economic ladder. (which BTW Hotels, arenas and retail do have in abundance) And incidently while it might have been easier years ago b/c you could stay within one company – the factories of yor didnt give the HS dropout a middle class wage in the 1st yr either.
And besides all that, AY current proposal calls for 600,000+ sq ft of office space (jobs), over 10 yrs of construction (UNION jobs) not to mention the hundreds of building service jobs (also union high paying) that the complex itslef will sustain.
Certainly a more office oriented development (which originially was proposed and was lambasted by the same critics complaining now) would offer more jobs ( probably not at the entry level though); the overall proposal is pretty balanced and really cannot be viewed as anything less than a huge net gain in terms of job opportunity for Brooklyn –
anon at 3:45 et al- you can find public opinion, pro and con all over the place. Do the research. As far as DDDB- how is it you aren’t bothered by Ratner’s very selfish, self=promoting interests? You’re more upset about Michelle Williams opinion than Ratners horrible Gehry design? I can tell where your priority are. And for the record, DDDB has never made a secret of why they exist or what they do. You certainly can’t say the same for Ratner. Or perhaps for Businessweek?
anon: Has any of the AY opponents surveyed people in housing projects or other non-gentrified neighborhoods? Or made any efforts to find out what they would like at the site?
Yes. plus, with how are 700 new jobs AT THE MOST going to serve Red Hook Houses, Atlatnic Terminal Houses, I/W/F, Wyckoff Houses and all ther rest? please splain your logic, if you can.
It is a known fact that Forest Ratner has full time staff to monitor the blogs and to make bogus postings to combat any opposition – even constructive criticism. The information war is on.
anon 11:59 and 1:12, back again. I gather the answer to my question then is no. Anyone?
Bring on the Nets and Atlantic Yards!! I’m 100% behind the project. I just want another architect on the project. Gehry’s plan absolutely sucks. The model is pathetic. AY will represent a defining moment in our boroughs history so we can’t afford to waste this significant opportunity with something so unimpressive.
DDDB people, get with the 21st Century. The parcel of land is huge and no one is going to build a farmer’s market and low rise townhouses on the property. Get real. Who are you kidding?
what kind of stupid comment is “greed is destroying america” from anon 9:16am?
did he/she read their history books? greed has been a part of american society since the day the settlers set foot in jamestown. remember slavery too? greed is the american way. just not who gets removed or stepped on each and every time!