Yards Scale-Back: Token or Meaningful Move?
Big news on Atlantic Yards on Friday. First, Ratner announced that he was axing 440 market-rate condominiums for a total of 475,000 square feet. According to James P. Stuckey, the new plan “allows for more open space, narrows the scale of the buildings and reduces overall bulk and density, but it also gives us the…
Big news on Atlantic Yards on Friday. First, Ratner announced that he was axing 440 market-rate condominiums for a total of 475,000 square feet. According to James P. Stuckey, the new plan “allows for more open space, narrows the scale of the buildings and reduces overall bulk and density, but it also gives us the flexibility to maintain our commitment to affordable housing.” While the overall number of floors would shrink, some buildings would be even taller than originally planned. (Hmmmm.) Separately, the Empire State Development Corporation said it would expand the main geographic area under study and increase the number of intersections where the traffic impact will be examined. Marty says he’s “delighted” by the changes but not so Dan Goldstein: “The whole thing is still bigger than it was when it was announced.”
Arena Complex Shrink by 5% [NY Times]
Final Scope Document [DDDB]
right. disingenuous ad hominem attacks, yes, but please, no insults.
everyone, ignore anon 7:17pm. Both sides/all sides. I understand that is a heated debate but there’s no need to sink to profanity and insults.
to the dipshit who wrote the below, a big F U, you empty-headed putz.
Why should David have to “give it up”, but Babs should be allowed to speak her piece? Nice double-standard there.
Let’s tally this thing up:
Ratner owns the Nets, owns the Yards, owns the majority of the property in the footprint, has the backing of the state’s most influential politicians, has easily won every court battle so far (and will win the appeal currently underway), has begun demolition, enjoys favorable articles in the most powerful media outlets, has a proven track record of seeing his developments come to pass, and is rich beyond everyone’s wildest dreams.
The opposition has a small band of upper middle-class yuppies who have yet to score a single victory, who spend more money on vacations and dog care than they donate to this arena fight, and whose main media outlet is a blog with a readership 1/10,000 of the NYT.
How any opponent could view this as progress is beyond me.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 4, 2006 11:48 AM
The Enviromental Impact is still in progress.
Anon 2:23, I am not sure if those have been completed yet. I try to check again later.
And George Bush said there were WMDs in Iraq- look how that turned out. He had an effective strategy for starting the war- and? Sure effective strategy is vital, it greases the wheels, but there are far more factors than just that. Effective strategies simply enable a particular agenda- for good or bad. And many “effective” strategies have done far more harm than good (Al Quaeda had an effective strategy for 9-11. I hardly think that was a recommendation to the rest of us.)Effective strategies are amoral. I believe in consequences and responsibility. What Ratner has is money and connections, not necessarily a good plan for the area.
Okay, Bx2Bklyn posted a lot of links that are lined up against the AY development. But I’m still waiting for the environmental planning links from the pro AY folks. It seems as if their attitude is build the damn thing and we’ll try to figure out/troubleshoot the infrastructure mess once it’s all completed. I’m still waiting for the insightful environmental planning docs.
“Effective strategy means you win in football. We’re not talking games here- we’re talking about real life which has a lot more concerns and needs that that.”
I disagree. Effective strategy is vital to succeeding in life, as Ratner’s success thus far has proven.
“Better strategy does not make you right, nor does it make what you propose good.”
Thanks for repeatedly illustrating my point. Being right might make for good catharsis, but it means very little in the way of concrete gains. Many holes have been shot in the reasoning and facts of Ratner’s minions, but the AY plan is unfolding nevertheless. What good is it to be correct if it doesn’t further your goal?
effectiveness of strategy or cronyism?
rich verus lower income? Effective strategy means you win in football.We’re not talking games here- we’re talking about real life which has a lot more concerns and needs that that. Better strategy does not make you right, nor does it make what you propose good. Just take a look at the Bush Administration for proof of that.
FYI- Hollow men refers to PR people, not pro-Ratner people. Just because I disagree with you, I don’t think you’re stupid or ignorant. That is your own issue, not mine. What I do think is that you and David are coming from a different set of agendas which obviously do not coincide with mine or many others.