Ward's Bakery: The Calm Before the Storm
There were more protesters and members of the media than construction workers on site this morning at Ward’s Bakery. The Hagan sisters were there with their signs and Norman Oder with his camera. Meanwhile, the only instrument of destruction onsite was this Keyspan backhoe. Bulldozers for Ward’s Bakery [Brownstoner]
There were more protesters and members of the media than construction workers on site this morning at Ward’s Bakery. The Hagan sisters were there with their signs and Norman Oder with his camera. Meanwhile, the only instrument of destruction onsite was this Keyspan backhoe.
Bulldozers for Ward’s Bakery [Brownstoner]
Wow, Anon at 10:44 is so transparently a paid employee of FCRC posting copy generated by their publicity machine. Please, Mr. FCRC flack, won’t you post that other one from the blue collar, sports-loving regular Joe from Bensonhurst? That was one of my favorites.
Hey, Mr. Home of the Capitalist — which is it? Is AY a publically-subsidized project, in which case the public should have a great deal to say about how big it is and what it looks like? Or is AY some big risk Ratner is taking all on his lonesome? In which case, I guess there’s no problem if we eliminate all the public subsidies this project will consume.
It’s really irritating to be arguing with a flack, but I think it’s important not to let this nonsense stand.
Mr. Flack, I’m sure you’re aware that other developers bid MORE for the right to build over the rail yard. Why was Ratner given the rights instead?
What does the arena have to do with 16 high rise residential buildings? Couldn’t we have the arena and also less dense residential construction?
Where’s the proof that New Yorkers are eager to subsidize an arena?
As for the “perception” (your word) that AY opponents are “anti-development whackos” — well, we can thank the FCRC publicity machine for that. The truth is that AY opponents are not anti-development. We are anti-crappy development and pro-good development. But of course FCRC has been committed negating that distinction, so that they are free to build whatever sort of anti-community, anti-neighborhood crap that will garner the biggest buck.
And no, I don’t believe that the almighty dollar is the only principle to be observed when we’re talking about the built environments in which we live out our lives. The only people who hate urban planning are greedy developers who don’t care whether what they create enhances urban life or destroys it. It’s all the same to them, as long as they make the big bucks.
That’s why we need non-corrupt government to look out for the common good. Unfortunately in the case of AY, a politically well-connected developer has been able to by-pass completely the land use approval process that all other developers have to submit to. This project was approved in a backroom, by a few guys who went to college together. The taxpayer can look forward to paying for AY for decades to come, and I guarantee you that what we get in return is not going to be worth the price.
LET’S GO NETS!!!!
Left on the cutting room floor by anyone who supports the project is the inconvenient truth that Ratner’s proposal would create the DENSEST RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY IN THE NATION.
Taxpayer funding of an arena and professional sports or the abuse of eminent domain are just a small parts of the picture. These issues will be debated forever — after all, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Meanwhile, there will be no getting around the impacts of the historical density, which is a fact, not an opinion.
i’m so sick of hearing david’s pro ratner bologna. dude you are so full of it! get a life with a conscience sometime!
Yahoo!! Brooklyn basketball! I can’t wait. It’s going to be so awesome. I live in Park Slope so I’m looking forward to the convenience. I really think that this is going to be great for Brooklyn.
yes, you make a fine point there.
because i mean the NJ Nots are such a fine team and this demolition for a parking lot has a lot to do with bringing the Nots to Brooklyn.
And i mean all of Brooklyn is just going wild over the arrival of the Nots, i hear the roaring outside my window as we speak: Lets Go Nots! Lets go Nots! its deafening!
LET’S GO NETS!!!!!
anonymous shill above who wrote: “It’s Ratner’s building and as long as he follows the letter of the law he can do whatever he wants to it. ”
Oh, okay. You are right. So you also believe that since Ratner can do what he wants with the building because its HIS building, then those people who own property in the footprint can do what they want as well, since those are their buildings.
because you seem to be talking about property rights, but only applying them to Bruce Ratner.
Ratner spent $2.1 mm lobbying Albany politicians last year, the 3rd largest spender. For me, that’s a sure sign that the merits of AY don’t speak for themselves. The “support” for this development is bought and paid for.