Mapping the Atlantic Yards Timeline
No one on either side of the Atlantic Yards debate disputes the fact that its construction would be a major pain in the ass for residents. The question is rather how long people would be inconvenienced for (Chuck Ratner’s on record saying 15 years) and whether the end-product would be worth the inconvenience. To address…
No one on either side of the Atlantic Yards debate disputes the fact that its construction would be a major pain in the ass for residents. The question is rather how long people would be inconvenienced for (Chuck Ratner’s on record saying 15 years) and whether the end-product would be worth the inconvenience. To address the first part of that question, graphic designer Abby Weissman has overlaid the construction schedule with a site map. The result is the clearest representation we’ve seen to date of the timeline. For a bigger version of the map, click on the image above.
The (Projected) Ten-Year Atlantic Yards Timeline [AY Report]
(: >, biggest crock of baloney…keep earning your pay.
Stop the non-stop bellyaching! Good grief!
Come on folks, there’s a good reason why this project is moving forward full steam ahead – widespread community apathy! Nobody really cares! If you go outside the immediate vicinity with its unjustified NIMBY opposition (e.g., move it to Coney Island, Red Hook or the Navy Yard), the project is well supported throughout the borough.
Moreover, the yuppie snobs who reside in the section of brownstone Brooklyn west of Flatbush Avenue (PS, CG, CH, BH and BH) have only themselves to blame for this lack of support. They’ve totally alienated everyone to the east of Flatbush Avenue by constantly harping on this board (and everywhere else) that recent home buyers in “fringe” brownstone Brooklyn have made an unwise investment decision to live in an area routinely describe as “ghetto” and “too black infested” to completely gentrify. As a result, most of us in FG, CH, BS, CHN, PH and PLG have come to accept the fact that AY, despite its many drawbacks, is our only and best hope. We understand and fully comprehend that AY will produce the kind of “instant gentrification” necessary to protect our investment and take our neighborhoods to the next level of security and economic prosperity. Yes, a very selfish reason but rational nonetheless.
I’m not ashamed in saying that I look for to the development of 11,000 luxury units on this site. This will catapult the architecturally superior neighbors east of Flatbush to soaring new heights! Most of us understand this reality. We don’t need to stand on street corners handing out leaflets or waiving banners in support of the project. Rather we just sit on the sidelines and allow the opposition to simply die a slow and painful death (e.g., they are broke and imploding from within). In the end, my self-interests are more closely aligned with Ratner and the other developers who are dotting the downtown Brooklyn skyline with soaring skyscrapers. These buildings represent hope and a better future for Brooklyn and its residents.
This is about development and DDDB is simply on the wrong side of the issue (i.e., Flatbush).
Anon – fine, you seem to have an ax to grind against the small group of plaintiffs you mentioned. Knock yourself out. I don’t really care.
I’m a lukewarm supporter of the project – but I think you’re cutting off your nose to spite your face. I don’t think harping on about whether white protesters can represent both whites and blacks who are against the project is useful or lends anything to the discussion. Not every white person in the area is against AY, just as not every black person is for it. When Tish James speaks up against it, I don’t assume that because she is black, she only represents blacks who are against it, and when a white protester speaks up against it, I don’t assume they only respresent whites who are against AY.
Using race as a wedge distracts people from focusing on the practical results this development will have (good and bad) on the area.
lp,
So even though all of the photos depict a white majority, these people represent a diversity that is invisible to the rest of the world? How convenient. It’s possible to claim diversity witout backing it up. I apologize for demanding some proof.
OK folks- look at the time line- what gets built first? The money making parts of the project- nothing else matters. Granted Ratner (and this graphic designer) avoid highlighting this (what is with all the grey around the arena? $10 says it is all commercial- where the TGIFridays and such go). The residential stuff is all just a sopp to the politicians and neighborhood groups. This project is all about rentable sqfootage near to mass transit.
So, if you are looking for a silver lining- phase 2 is the least likely to ever get built. The fact that it is phased seperatly implies that they are going to wait to see how the first phase preforms before extending themselves for a bunch of crappy residential low income(return) housing. And re: timing of completeion- add at least a year or two to each date.
It is going to be hellish for anyone who lives near by- glad I decided not to live next to a rail yard when I moved to B’lyn 😉
This whole project is an example of the current sad state of classic NY GREED. Those that are for it are only interested in the prospect of potential increase in property values. Screw community. Profit, pure and simple. They would approve ANYTHING that might enhance their future gain. I feel sorry for anyone who invested in Ft Greene and surrounding nabes. The nightmare hasn’t even begun and it looks bleaker every day.
My point is that because they are white, that does not mean they only represent “white”, whatever that means, interests – they represent the interests of those who agree with them, which is not just the white residents of the area, but a racially diverse mix of people. Again, race-baiting, and a diversion in my opinion from discussing issues and potential outcomes.
lp 12:00,
As with many on this board, you neglected to actually read a post before critiquing it. I never criticized AY opponents for being white, but for attempting to represent themselves as something they are not: a diverse group. They have insisted ad naseam that they represent a broad demographic, yet all photographs of their ranks depict a predominantly white makeup. If they are all white, then that’s perfectly fine. I just prefer that they admit rather than try to hide this obvious fact.
This is more like that hideous “Aventura, Florida” crap architecture like the Forte Towers that is now blighting our neighborhood. And regarding the ‘drama queens’ comment from a Ratner twat: we live here, tool. We love this neighborhood. We hate to see this 20-year construction zone cut two great communities off from each other. And this is not just a ‘white issue’, as you like to address it. This is a community issue, and just because our politicians have bought into this ill-designed project doesn’t mean that we will be cheering for what is an inappropriate extension of that horrendous dead zone Metrotech.
It’s out of line. It’s out of scale. It’s inappropriate for us. Take this design and implement it in Florida. I’m sure their taxpayers would love to foot the bill.