Word Leaks of Atlantic Yards Size Reduction
News today of Bruce Ratner’s plans to reduce the size of the Atlantic Yards project comes as little surprise; we don’t expect that the move will appease many of the projects strongest opponents, as it does nothing to address issues of density, services or environmental impact. In fact, a cynic might be forgiven for thinking…
News today of Bruce Ratner’s plans to reduce the size of the Atlantic Yards project comes as little surprise; we don’t expect that the move will appease many of the projects strongest opponents, as it does nothing to address issues of density, services or environmental impact. In fact, a cynic might be forgiven for thinking that it smacks of well-choreographed political theatre. While a formal announcement isn’t expected until later this month, the word is that the reduction will shave off 500,000 to 700,000 square feet from the project by eliminating hundreds of market-rate apartments. The number of affordable apartments would reportedly remain the same. In the process, the height of some of the towers, including a 350-foot building on Site 5 and maybe even Miss Brooklyn (gotta throw Marty a bone) would be reduced.
Developer Said to Cut SIze of Yards [NY Times]
Again who is BATSON? Does anyone here actually know. is he/she the DDDB poster child? I cannot believe noone on this blog even took the time to discuss?
I guess D-O-N-E-D-E-A-L knows what he/she is talking about. No voices no vote!
🙂
Really, you all must work for DDDB!
Good point Ed. Zoning and facade restrictions, and extending NYC landmark boundaries as appropriate, are the best course of action to prevent the intact neighborhoods around AY from unfettered non-contextual development.
As much as I hate the person who keeps writing DONE DEAL, I agree, this is a done deal. Perhaps some minor tweaking, but basically done.
Why don’t we all put our energies into maintaining zoning and facade restrictions in our low-scale neighborhoods? I’ve been saying this forever!
Why are all the anti Yards folks pushing the Batson vote? I have been a bit on the fence about most of this and I can’t help but notice that all the usual anti yards faces are standing at subways pushing that particular candidate. Also the one hold out in Atlantic Yards (I think he is the leader of DDDB has the Batson Banner flying from his window at that Pacific St condominium).
For the record can any objective party let us know about the candidate in general? What are the credentials? I never heard of this individual before the Atlantic Yards.
Concerned voter.
it was brought to my attention that, not only is the project not much smaller, but that ratner kept all the commercial space and the “affordable” housing and cut the condos. i am going to ask a controversial question: do we really need more projects in Brooklyn? It seems to me housing that does not segregate by class is better for everyone. the reality is FRC is smart, clever and even devious. No matter how we slice it the project will be overwhelming so the questions we need to ask ourselves is what we need to make it livable.
D-O-N-E-D-E-A-L!!!
“As always, the vast majority of Brooklynites overwhelmingly support the AY project. It is obvious to everyone following the AY project that the anti-development newbies/NIMBY’s do not have the borough’s best interest at heart. This is a done deal because Brooklyn understands that this project is too important to the borough’s future to allow the self-interested anti-development mob to dictate our destiny.”
So, base your above conclusion on the Crain’s Poll? A poll of 601 people from all 5 boroughs, and 60% are pro AY? Ah, the wonders of numbers. OK, here are some – Out of 601 people, 60% gives you 360 people. Let’s assume they polled an equal number of people from each borough, so you divide by 5, and……72 people in Brooklyn are for the Atlantic Yards project! A victory of major proportions.
And while we’re at it, let’s look at Crain’s. Outside of its intended readership of financial and business types, most people don’t even know who or what they are. Can you even buy Crain’s in Brooklyn outside of the Heights? They certainly don’t have their finger on the pulse of the average Joe and Jane on the street. I would be inclined to take their advice on a financial matter, but they wouldn’t be my first choice to tell me what’s going down in most of Bklyn’s neighborhoods.
And I don’t think you can lump people who were opposed to Rockefeller Center, who are all most likely dead now, with the same people who are opposed to even Lincoln Center or Battery Park, let alone AY. Apples and oranges in so many ways, and I’m sure no one here is interested in comparing them anyway. You are free to cheerlead all you want for AY, but please at least give those who are against it, for a lot of different reasons, the benefit of the doubt of intelligence and reason. It is NOT obvious that “the vast majority of Brooklynites overwhelmingly support the AY project.”
I agree Anon 3:15pm. Nice “poll footnote†Brownstoner. What’s bigger news, the project size being reduced by a meager 8% or an objective poll showing that Brooklyn supports this development? I think the poll is, don’t you? Remember the “Ratner and corrupt politicians are ramming AY down the public’s throat†argument? However, a Crain’s poll indicates otherwise, that only 33 percent of Brooklyn residents oppose AY. DDDB has absolutely no credibility as their opposition to the project is solely based on fabrication, distortions and lies. Isn’t it time for the media to stop giving DDDB the platform to express their clear minority opinion? How is their opposition any news? I sincerely hope that the media now decides to give them and their like less press time. They don’t deserve it. As always, the vast majority of Brooklynites overwhelmingly support the AY project. It is obvious to everyone following the AY project that the anti-development newbies/NIMBY’s do not have the borough’s best interest at heart. This is a done deal because Brooklyn understands that this project is too important to the borough’s future to allow the self-interested anti-development mob to dictate our destiny. These guys oppose all forms of high density development. Just look back at their opposition of Battery Park City, Lincoln Center, Rockefeller Center, the Time Warner Center and the World Trade Center. It’s the same mumbo jumbo. e.g., people, traffic, infrastructure, shadows, yada, yada, yada. These projects went forward and did Armageddon occur? No. DDDB and their misguided supporters are simply using scare tactics to block this project and it’s been a humongous failure. Brooklyn residents are too smart to fall for such sophomoric antics. Lastly, I read the above Atlantic Yards Report analysis of the poll and I’m terribly embarrassed for these people. Their opposition to this project is so transparent, disingenuous, poorly organized and communicated. How could a group of supposedly intelligent people be so fool hearted in their position and sloppy in their execution? I truly hope that common sense in Brooklyn continues to prevail and AY gets completed as planned.