Since the release of the BrooklynSpeaks governance proposal in August 2007, elected officials, government officials, community leaders and members of the public have asked us several questions about the proposal. The following are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

1. Is this proposal an attempt to stop or slow down the Atlantic Yards project?

No. Regardless of what is built on the Atlantic Yards site, a structure for accountable governance and meaningful community input is needed.

2. Would implementing this proposal transfer control of the project to the community?

No. Under the proposal, the Atlantic Yards project would be controlled by the same State, City and other entities as it is today, but their authority would be exercised through a transparent and accountable structure, informed by community input channeled through the proposed “Stakeholder Council”.

3. If the entities that are controlling the project aren’t changing, why does this proposal matter?

The entities currently controlling the project do so in an ad-hoc manner that lacks the transparency and accountability that other comparable development projects in New York City have. Providing a structure to govern the project will bring accountability, transparency and better coordination between the State and City agencies overseeing the project. Creating a “Project Oversight Entity” would also provide continuity of governance over the project as newly elected officials replace those originally involved in the project, or in the event that the developer sells its interest in the project to a third party.

Finally, the entities currently overseeing the project do so without a vehicle for community input. The BrooklynSpeaks sponsors believe that public involvement is vital to ensuring responsible development takes place on this site.

4. Is there any precedent for this?

Yes. Every other State project of a comparable scale in New York City has its own “project oversight entity,” such as the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation which oversees the construction of Brooklyn Bridge Park; the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation which oversees the redevelopment of the former World Trade Center site; the Queens West Development Corporation which oversees the redevelopment of Queens West and others. These entities have established accountability for the governance of these projects, as well as providing a structure for the State and City to coordinate their oversight.

Similarly, many large-scale projects have established structures for community input, including the Hoyt/Schermerhorn redevelopment project, the rebuilding of the Gowanus Expressway, and many others. The general consensus is that these and other projects were ultimately improved by community input.

5. Haven’t Brooklyn Bridge Development Corporation and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation been criticized for the way they have conducted their responsibilities?

Good governance cannot be guaranteed under any structure, but these entities still provide a measure of accountability, transparency and coordination that is lacking in the Atlantic Yards project, and at their best, are able to successfully synthesize community objectives with the goals of the State or City.

6. Isn’t Atlantic Yards a privately-led development? Why should it be necessary for it to have a government-run oversight entity?

Atlantic Yards is a State project. The construction of the project will involve the exercise of State powers, including the override of local zoning and potentially the use of eminent domain, and the project will be built pursuant to a General Project Plan developed and administered by the State, in accordance with the UDC Act of 1968. Notwithstanding the substantial role of a private developer in the project, the BrooklynSpeaks sponsors believe that the use of these State powers, and the magnitude of public funds for the project, require that public oversight and involvement in the project be maximized.

7. Would the project oversight entity be an ESDC subsidiary?

Not necessarily. The project oversight entity needs to have a board that is made up of State and City-appointed members (and members appointed by local elected officials such as the Borough President and State representatives), but this does not necessarily entail an ESDC subsidiary.

8. Why does the community need a structure to provide input to the decision-makers? Can’t the community visit with ESDC at any time to give their input?

Although community members have met with ESDC representatives, this is a not a substitute for a vehicle for an official, structured, ongoing relationship between the community and the decision-makers, which historically has proven to be the most effective way for communities to work with government entities. The proposed “Stakeholder Council” would provide a platform for different segments of the community to reach consensus over the input they provide to the entity overseeing the project.

9. The ESDC plans to hire an Atlantic Yards “ombudsman”. Will this address some of the perceived deficiences in the governance of the project?

The appointment of an ombudsman to liaise between the community and the State is a positive step. However, the ESDC views the role of the ombudsman as to “provide elected officials, community representatives and the public with access to current information about the project” (ESDC Press Release, 5/7/2007). This does not address the need for more accountable governance or a vehicle for community input to the project’s decision-making over its lifespan.

10. Haven’t all the decisions about the project been made?

No. It is unlikely that the project will be built entirely as proposed. The Atlantic Yards site will probably be redeveloped over several decades, and in that time, it is likely that the sponsors of the project will seek changes to the General Project Plan, for any number of different reasons that might include:

• changes in market conditions
• changes in architectural tastes
• changes in construction costs which would impact on design or time table
• changes in ownership of some or all of the property covered under the General Project Plan.

In addition to changes to the General Project Plan, policy surrounding Atlantic Yards, such as measures to mitigate the transportation impact of the project, will continue to be developed by its sponsors.

Any changes to the project, and other policies relating to it, will require approval by the State in what will amount to a continual decision-making process. The BrooklynSpeaks sponsors believe these decisions must be made by an accountable entity and informed by community input.

11. Would the Stakeholder Council be made up of those who previously supported or opposed the project?

The community Stakeholder Council would represent all of the community, including supporters of the project, those who have expressed concerns, and those who have not yet been involved.

12. Why does it matter whether the City participates in Atlantic Yards through a governance structure or “behind the scenes”?

The City is essentially responsible for most of the mitigations that are set out by the Environmental Impact Statement, including transportation and infrastructure concerns. It is essential that the City and its agencies participate openly and in an accountable fashion in addressing these responsibilities.

The City’s participation in the Atlantic Yards project to date has, for the most part, been behind the scenes. While the City held considerable influence over the project, notably over the creation of its design guidelines, the majority of this influence was exercised behind closed doors, and without the benefit of public input.

In addition, the City’s lack of participation in a formal governance structure for the Atlantic Yards project has occasionally resulted in decisions that the City vigorously disagreed with, such as the recent proposal to “carve-out” Atlantic Yards from the 421-a legislation.

13. What if the plaintiffs in the lawsuits against the Atlantic Yards project are successful?

Whether the current proposal for Atlantic Yards moves forward or not, an accountable governance structure and a vehicle for community input is necessary for whatever is built on the project site.

14. Who supports the governance proposal put forward by the BrooklynSpeaks sponsors?

The governance reform proposal has been endorsed by the following elected officials: Council Members Letitia James and David Yassky; Assembly Members James Brennan, Joan Millman and Hakeem Jeffries; State Senators Eric Adams and Velmanette Montgomery.

15. What is the position of other elected officials on the proposal?

Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Spitzer have not yet stated a position on the proposal.

Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz, has stated that he believes a vehicle for community input is essential.

16. How could the governance proposal be implemented?

The proposal could be implemented by the ESDC under the powers granted to them by the UDC act, or through legislation passed by the State Legislature.