At AY Hearing, Things Got "Raucous"

The same word keeps popping up in the coverage of last night’s Atlantic Yards hearing — “raucous.” According to AM NY, union members and supporters of the Atlantic Yards project outnumbered its opponents by at least three-to-one. Still, Councilwoman Leticia James spoke vehemently against the project. “If this project were built, there would be far-reaching negative impacts on public health, air quality, infrastructure, waste management, noise abatement, the environment and much else,” she said. The paper claimed that James “later strained to speak over the howls and booing of the crowd.”

However, Keith Brown, a 32-year-old unemployed carpenter and member of Brooklyn United for Innovative Local Development, took the opposite stance…

“This could be my big break,” he told Metro NY. “I’ve been living here all my life and seen the changes coming. This could be my chance to get into the union. If I can keep employment for five or six years, I’m good for a while.” Another hearing is scheduled for September 12, and written public comments will be accepted until September 22.
Raucous Meeting on Atlantic Yards [NY Times]
Raucous Crowd Packs Hearing [AM NY]
Raucous Hearing for Arena Project [NY Metro]
Hoop Dreams Draw a Foul [NY Post]
AY Supporters Out in Force at Epic Hearing, but Opponents Go the Distance [AY Report]
Photo by Michelle V. Agins/The New York Times