The War For Brooklyn
While new towers are regularly raised across Manhattan with little comment, changes afoot in Brooklyn have sparked fighting of an intensity rarely seen since the Battle of Long Island was waged on this turf in 1776. The Atlantic Yards complex, designed by Frank Gehry for builder Bruce Ratner, is simply the most conspicuous front in…
While new towers are regularly raised across Manhattan with little comment, changes afoot in Brooklyn have sparked fighting of an intensity rarely seen since the Battle of Long Island was waged on this turf in 1776. The Atlantic Yards complex, designed by Frank Gehry for builder Bruce Ratner, is simply the most conspicuous front in what some see as an all-out war for the soul of the borough. Gentrification per se isn’t always the issue; the argument centers often on the appropriate scale for Brooklyn. Is it big-box discounters and midtown-sized skyscrapers, or mom-and-pop stores and low-rises yielding unimpeded views?
So begins Time Out NY’s latest cover story on the battle for the soul of Brooklyn. Regular readers of this blog and others won’t find too many surprises in the seven neighborhood discussions, but the issue does provide a decent overview of the most significant points of contention in the borough’s growth spurt. Unfortunately, you’ll need a subscription and log-in to follow any of the links below.
Battleground: Atlantic Yards [Time Out NY]
Battleground: Gowanus [Time Out NY]
Battleground: Brooklyn Bridge Park [Time Out NY]
Battleground: Downtown [Time Out NY]
Battleground: Bed Stuy [Time Out NY]
Battleground: Williamsburg/Greenpoint [Time Out NY]
Battleground: Red Hook [Time Out NY]
Hey Brownbomber, not that I myself could ever be accused of using vinegar instead of honey…right? 😉
It is hard to get the nuances of what someone writes, but one thing is obvious- we’re all passionate about Brooklyn and its future.Nothing wrong with that-and its hard to see nieghborhoods changing so much and losing things that made it so wonderful in the first place. None of us can stop change from happening, but I do think we can do something about how it happens, and hopefully mitigate the worst aspects. Change isn’t necessarily bad either. But we’ll be making very painful tradeoffs no matter what. Maybe change isn’t the right word, but growth. And growing pains.
“Just be mindful not to dilute the strength of your argument with the wrong delivery, i.e., you can always attract more bees with honey than with vinegar.”
Agreed. sometimes tone can come across the wrong way online, – what one says in verbal conversation is often conveyed by nuance… and looking over my posts I can see how they might be misread…
“but he takes it to the next level and first assumes and then demands that everyone agree with his position.”
Marcy, can you offer some evidence that I ‘demand’ that you agree? I have stated the facts, I have stated my opinion, and said it was just that my opinion. on the other thread, I specifically noted my tastes were different than yours. Obviously, you think your tastes are better- otherwise you wouldn’t embrace them, obviously I think mine are better. But where I have advocated forcing my tastes on anyone?
“I noted his comments bordered on the fascist because he has a singular vision which he attempts to impose on all others.”
Again this seems to be your impression of me rather than me. It does not relate, as far as I can tell to anything I have said. I have only asked that you respond to my points rather than name call.
On common ground, although our tastes are different I would certainly agree with your point there is little thought, design wise, being put into current projects and that developers are cutting corners.
Bx2B, point well taken. Any discussion is better than no discussion. My apologies Dreadnaught. You’re passionate about your beliefs which is a very good thing indeed. I’m the same way too. There’s nothing wrong with having strong convictions.
Quite frankly, I think that you have a lot of pertinent information to offer the public with respect to AY. Just be mindful not to dilute the strength of your argument with the wrong delivery, i.e., you can always attract more bees with honey than with vinegar.
I agree completely with Dreadnaught.
sorry for the multiple posts, my computer is having issues and it freezes.
my issue with dreadnaught’s posts is that he has a strong viewpoint, which is fine, but he takes it to the next level and first assumes and then demands that everyone agree with his position. he attempts to browbeat anyone who doesn’t hate AY, etc. Obviously from reading plenty of comments in this thread and others not everyone feels exactly the same as D-naught does (a good thing). I noted his comments bordered on the fascist because he has a singular vision which he attempts to impose on all others. Luckily, he is not in a position of power. I don’t particularly care for Ratner, but I shouldn’t have to put up with someone trying to FORCE me to hate him.
Bx2Bklyn: thanks 🙂
flambee….so if that’s the case why don’t you live by Madison square garden?
In any event, the stadium is not the main issue- its about eminent domain abuse, taxpayer funding for private projects – and a rigged review process.
and no one is saying the area shouldn’t be developed the question is how and by whom.
FYI
Eliot Spitzer just sent a letter demanding that they allow 30 more days for a community hearing (the ESD tried to schedule one in august when all the community boards are in recess.)
i live in park slope and i am strongly in favor of the arena plan. when it is done i bet all the poo poo heads will run to enjoy the new environment which is currently an atrocious eye sore…
i will get nets season tickets and drink beers at the bball games.
ha ha