“Crossroads” initiative comes as looming affordable housing deadline raises questions about the future of $4B State-sponsored development in Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, January 6: Members of the BrooklynSpeaks coalition today announced the community-based planning initiative Crossroads, intended to guide State and City governments toward a new plan for the long-delayed Atlantic Yards project. The Atlantic Yards project was approved by the State of New York in 2006; it was rebranded as “Pacific Park” in 2014. The same year, developers agreed to complete all of the project’s promised 2,250 affordable apartments by 2025.
“Seven years ago, our organizations won a settlement that committed the State of New York to delivering thousands of units of much-needed affordable housing for Brooklynites facing intense displacement pressure,” said Gib Veconi, Chair of the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council. “We must now acknowledge that the State and the developers have failed to take the actions necessary to keep that promise, and the viability of the project is again in question. Our communities are not going to stand by as developers receive another bailout. It’s time for stakeholders to come together and chart a new future for Atlantic Yards.”

The initiative comes as developer Greenland Forest City Partners is expected to seek additional development rights for the block across from Barclays Center on Flatbush Avenue that contains a P.C. Richard location and a former Modell’s sporting goods store. “It would be unconscionable for the State to allow a tower the size of the Chrysler Building on that site when the developers have refused to explain how they plan to meet their existing commitments to complete the rail yard platforms necessary for the remainder of Atlantic Yards’ affordable housing,” said Howard Kolins, President of the Boerum Hill Association.

On October 3, 2019, more than sixty people gathered at the Montauk Club in Brooklyn at a meeting organized by BrooklynSpeaks to learn about the status of the Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park project, and discuss concerns about the project’s public commitments and environmental impacts.

BROOKLYN, Monday, August 12: Elected officials representing districts included in the Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park footprint, civic and business leaders, and housing advocates came together today to demand accountability after New York State Empire State Development (ESD) officials planned approval of a proposed 105,000 square feet of new development rights at the Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park project with no environmental review, and no additional public benefits.