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]
My grandfather was the foreman of the bakery from 1950 through the 70s”””
he would roll over in his grave if he saw all the hub bub
keifer
Well at least my calling out of the cut-and-paste job got the PR machine to start spewing out some “new” arguments. Maybe someday they’ll start making some rational ones as well.
One, I’d be more tolerant of the shills above if it weren’t for the fact that Ratner’s spending even more on PR agencies than he is buying politicians. I’m convinced a lot of pro-AY propaganda is professionally produced, even though it appears to be ill-informed.
Two, as for following the law, Ratner’s paid off the people that write and enforce the laws. Read about his massive donations to the folks in Albany and the multiple cases of eminent domain abuse. We should no more trust the law regarding AY than we should trust Ratner himself. We need – and will get – new lawmakers.
Three, why should I have to put my money where my mouth is? Ratner’s not using his money. State and local government (i.e. you and I) are underwriting huge portions of Atlantic Yards.
I feel really sorry for anyone that lives remotely close to this mess. 15 years of massive construction in an area that’s already congested beyond belief.
I’m a taxapayer too and I fully support the use of ED under these circumstances at the AY site (Alantic Ave is an absolute cesspool). Of course, you’re entitled to your opinion but I’m also entitled to mine. As a result, I say it’s fine to use my tax dolars on this project. And guess what? Given the vast support for the project in Brooklyn I venture to say that many other taxpayers don’t mind either.
Let’s be honest here. First, DDDB is dead broke (they couldn’t afford to fight a parking ticket at this point). There’s 100% certainty that their legal challenge will fail. Why? To win you need to have the law on your side. They don’t so they’ll lose. It’s that simiple. Second, the perception in Brooklyn is that the opposition is run by a bunch of NIMBY anti-development whackos who don’t have the borough’s best interest at heart. No matter how hard the opposition tries, they can’t overcome this problem. Why? It’s true.
Lastly, who cares how much money Ratner makes on the deal? He doesn’t run a non-for-profit. He took the risk and the initiative so he’s entitled to make a lot of money on this deal just like any other businessman. I don’t see hedge funds or private equity shops lowering their enormous management fees because they’re simply making “way too much money.” This is America. Home of the capitalist. Did you forget?
The truth of the matter is Brooklyn wants a professional sport franchise and to this end we are willing to spend our tax dollars to make this happen. If we want this type of massive development, then the expectation is that the city will subsidize it to a certain extent. Something had to be done with the railyards so with or without Ratner the city would be coming out of pocket anyway. Me thinks thou protest too much!
Why don’t these “protestors” go back to their newspaper filled apartments and their 28 cats. I had the misfortune of running into two of these “protestors” at the Fort Greene market this weekend – yep these people just reek of credibility
The comparison of the Taj Mahal and this bakery building is the perfect example of the hyperbole and sillyness of the AY opponents and demonstrate why they have no credibility and why even their reasonalbe ojections are ignored and dismissed.
Will a protest really stop the demolition? I guess a show of opposition is worth it, but it seems so tragic.
And to whoever cut and pasted the first comment, just fyi: your arguments are not relevant. The intent to create a landmark has nothing to do with whether the building actually ends up being worth landmarking.
And being willing or able to cough up dough has nothing to do with one’s right to have a say in how the neighborhood is developed. If you live in the neighborhood and AY is going to have an impact on your life, you have a say. Even Ratner admits this, his whole rationale for AY is that it will improve this obviously “blighted” neighborhood.
Not to mention, Ratner isn’t entirely willing to “cough up the dough” either: why else is he getting huge subsidies from the city to complete the project?
9:28 am — I’d agree with your comment absolutely, of this was land that Ratner actually bought. But he didn’t put a dime into it. I am paying for it, for him to make his bundle later. That’s plain old BS. HEnce the bitching
Deja Vu – the above is a cut-and-paste comment I’ve seen in at least two other Brownstoner threads in the last week.
I guess the shills can’t even be bothered to actually write anymore and just spam the same message over and over.