PACB Gives Ratner What He Wants
After an Oscar-worthy head fake on Tuesday, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, along with the two other members of the Public Authorities Control Board, George Pataki and Joseph Bruno, gave the thumbs up to Bruce Ratner’s vision for Atlantic Yards. “I am pleased the developer is committed to addressing numerous community concerns through several specific actions…
After an Oscar-worthy head fake on Tuesday, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, along with the two other members of the Public Authorities Control Board, George Pataki and Joseph Bruno, gave the thumbs up to Bruce Ratner’s vision for Atlantic Yards. “I am pleased the developer is committed to addressing numerous community concerns through several specific actions that will result in significant neighborhood improvements,” said Silver. Last time we checked, traffic congestion, overcrowded schools and a surfeit of chain stores didn’t exactly qualify as improvements (though there were some last minute changes, including 200 more units of affordable housing and $3 million more for improvements to neighboring parks) but then again, pols who live upstate must have a better grasp of what’s better for Brooklyn than the four assembly members closest to the site. So where does this leave those who oppose the project? Eminent domain lawsuits, scale negotiations and a guy named Spitzer. From the beginning, the project has been a public-private partnership in which the public has not been represented, said Kent Barwick, president of the Municipal Art Society. The vote today reflected a process that simply did not allow New Yorkers to shape the project, and the result is a plan that will not work for Brooklyn.
State Approves Major Complex for Brooklyn [NY Times]
NY Board Approves Atlantic Yards Plan [Bloomberg]
The Nets Win! [NY Post]
Photo by f.trainer
I suspect that Mr. Goldstein has already vacated his apartment. The bed sheet banners have been removed and the lights are always out.
Yes, a great day for Brooklyn. If you don’t like traffic, don’t drive. The lawsuits will surely fail. Let the construction begin.
I am finally getting optimistic, only one hurdle remaining – Eminent Domain for the 3 remaining homeowners.
Given the political support this project has I would be shocked if some judge decides to unilaterally derail it, but you never know….
What will be great is when Dan Goldstein tries to create the emotional scene of being ripped from his great homestead and all the news media reports is that the guy has only lived in his apt for 3yrs and is making a 1million dollar profit.
traffic traffic traffic. all you traffic whiners are pathetic. you need your cars to go to red hook fairway or to drive your privileged kids to st anne’s?
hey, its hard to drive a car in NEW YORK CITY. if you don’t like that, get the fuck out.
This is a great day for corporate America!!
INSTANT MALLING for (no longer) Brownstone Brooklyn east of Flatbush Avenue! Soon to come: less diversity, worse public schools (higher private school fees, once they realize how overextended the public schools have become), more chain-stores and fast-food joints, and most important – higher property values (to finally chase out the remaining diversity I just championed)!!
Brooklyn – YOU LOSE!!
Public – YOU LOSE!!
The Middle and Lower Classes – YOU LOSE (again)!!
The lesson learned here is that a small and powerful minority of influential developers can and should determine the future of the majority and the future of this borough!
Now, if they’d just gate the whole thing we can really celebrate!! That’d take care of the traffic problems.
what will this do to property values in fort greene?
Excuse my ignorance here but does this plan include building a new school for all these new residents?
I am thoroughly and totally disgusted.
As a resident of North Brooklyn, I look forward to testifying about how great Joe Sitt’s vision for Coney Island is. Then we can wait for Domenic Recchia to ask, ‘what do you know about my neighborhood?’
Huray! That’s what I’m talking about!