Yards Environmental Hearing a Spirited Affair
From all reports, last night’s hearing on the environmental impact of the Bruce Ratner’s proposal for the Atlantic Yards project was a boisterous affair. With the 880-seat auditorium at New York City College of Technology almost filled to capacity, emotions ran high as neighborhood groups, business associations and unions all voiced their opinions, usually with…
From all reports, last night’s hearing on the environmental impact of the Bruce Ratner’s proposal for the Atlantic Yards project was a boisterous affair. With the 880-seat auditorium at New York City College of Technology almost filled to capacity, emotions ran high as neighborhood groups, business associations and unions all voiced their opinions, usually with a back-drop of booing and cat-calling. Most of the opposition came from people who actually live in or near the Atlantic Yards, including Prospect Heights and Park Slope. Beyond aesthetic concerns and worries about forever changing the character of the neighborhood, opponents cited specific concerns about the existing infrastructure–from schools to parking to sewers–and its ability to accommodate the increased population density. The only people featured speaking out for the project (in the two articles we read) were both union leaders whose quality of life (other than their paychecks) we doubt will be impacted should the project go forward. The crowd also had no patience for wafflers: Councilman David Yassky was heckled for his middle-of-the-road stance: He’s for the project if it’s “done right.” Our sense is that even Brooklynites who are generally in favor of the project are worried about the scale and about Ratner going reneging on promises after he gets final approval.
The People Shout on Arena Project [NY Times]
SRO Crowd Takes Shots at Nets Plan [NY Daily News]
Thank you Steve for mentioning the old LIRR terminal — it was beautiful and I always hoped it would be saved. I moved from Fort Greene to France in 1995 and came back in 2004 to the horror that is those two disgustingly ugly malls and the Greene House condominium — I almost cried when I saw that monstrosity going up. Bruce Ratner’s previous scams in the area (Metrotech, rented primarily at above-market rates to NYC and NYS agencies, and the NYS DMV horror in the first Atlantic Terminal mall) should provide ample warning for all that our pockets are once again going to be picked.
anon 5:29 – if we wanted to live with permanently congested streets and tall buildings blocking out the sun, we’d all be raising our families in times square or midtown! Living in brooklyn is not a reason to roll over and put up with this crap.
Hey Lucinda, Coop City is in the Bronx. And I suppose if you want uncongested streets and your sunlight not blocked by tall buildings you should try someplace in New Mexico.
And no matter what you think of Atlantic Center the area still looks much much better than it did 20 years ago – congestion and all.
I don’t care if Gehry is fashionable architect of the moment or not. The proposed development is HIDEOUS, OVERSIZED, will congest already congested streets, and block sunlight.
Also, Bruce Rattner has never built a popular development in his life. Ask your friends in Boston and Cleveland. Further proof: the truly heinous Atlantic Center mall. Or try the AMC movie theater in Times Square.
If you want Coop City, move to Queens. Case closed as far as I’m concerned.
I completely agree with 9:47 anon. There’s nothing contradictory about being against eminent domain and yet liking the *look* of the proposed development, which is all JoshK said. What, if you’re against eminent domain, you suddenly have to decide you hate Frank Gehry’s architecture, because to do otherwise is to give aid and comfort to the enemy?
Dan Goldstein’s 4:07 “I’m always right” response, IMO, is symbolic of why the anti-Ratner crowd is failing. Their attitude is an aggressive “you’re either with us or against us, and anyone who disagrees with is our enemy!” That approach has definitely turned me off.
i live nearby and bet this project will prove the critics sorely mistaken. the ghery designs look otherw worldly and daring and i bet such vision will make this a destination for many to marvel…
it seems to me that the critics are fearful of change, luddites…
how often such a majority are proven worng can not be counted by this comtrarian…
Brooklyn deserves better than that Ratnervill crap. What about Jersey a lot of brownfilds to develop. New jersey nets sounds great to me.
Well then I truly dont understand her position of moving Atlantic Yards to another Brooklyn Neighborhood – maybe its Sympathy NIMBYism???