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]
Babs, you are a master of hair-splitting. Sure, you didn’t say that arena opponents were misinformed, but you certainly implied it by saying that people support the project due to a lack of information. Implicit in that statement is an assumption that opponents need only to have “correct” information and they will then see the light (i.e. agree with YOUR point of view). That is my chief bone of contention: the assumption that opponents are ignorant and couldn’t possibly support the project for any reason other than a lack of information.
In the end, Ratner will win because he is fighting this as a strategic battle, whereas AY opponents are fighting it as a moral one.
No, you’re not making any progress. If the opposition is having garage sales to raise money, they can’t possibly be doing well financially. And that’s yet another flaw: most opponents talk long and loud, but are reluctant to open their own pocketbooks.
In the end, it boils down to who has more money, and we all know the answer to that one.
Babs – what tide??? This is an internet message board????
BTW – I always said it was 50/50 – I never underestimate the ability to obstruct.
Wow, thanks, guys, and I feel the same about you — and I think the tide is turning here — if even David says Ratnerville’s chances are only 50/50 we’re definitely making progress!
And now I really do have to get to work!
Cheers.
I notice that once again no one wants to suggest alternative locations for housing and the arena.
Babs, you rock in my book. I’ve always found your posts to be informative, and your arguements well thought out, and well said, and you have a great sense of humor. You are one of the few people who post regularly under a name that have actually lived in several very different areas in Bklyn, which gives what you say added weight. Since you get around a lot in the context of your profession, you know a lot more than most about most of the nabes discussed on a regular basic. I hope you don’t let one idiot get to you.
It is possible to disagree without being disagreeable.
Well said, Babs
Brownbomber- unfortunately that’s the truth. So all the pro-arguments people are making, based on housing etc. are blown out the window. The real reason the AY exists at all is because Ratner wanted his own team. It’s all about Ratner’s ego, not housing, not Brooklyn Pride, not jobs- just egotism. Pure and Simple. While you may be a rabid sports fan, I doubt the majority of Brooklyn cares one way or another. Real life is a lot more important- but of course it’s the age-old idea that if you give people a circus they’ll spend all their time at it. Rome tried that- look what happened.
And, BTW, Anon 10:16, I believe one distinguishes oneself BY something, not WITH it. Be that as it may, my ignorance and stupidity about what? Under the table political-real estate deals? Previous broken promises? Whatever — you may disagree with me all you want, but resorting to anonymous and ungrammatical name-calling really isn’t an argument in your favor.
Brilliant post, anon at 10:06. Not only are you too much of a coward to get yourself a name, but if your post is what passes for an intelligent argument, I say you’ve made yourself look far worse than you did Babs.