Atlantic Yards then and now: Political theater to public loss

It’s been six years since the announcement of the Atlantic Yards Project. During that time, the project has been heralded by some as a harbinger of a new Brooklyn renaissance with “historic” benefits for the borough. Others have criticized its design, anticipated environmental impacts, and lack of community involvement.

However, all of the press releases, consultants’ reports, public hearings and board meetings since then were just so much political theater. Nobody beside the project’s developer and a few political appointees really knew what the public was likely to get in exchange for massive subsidies and years of construction. Now that the master closing among the State, the City and Forest City Ratner has taken place, New Yorkers can finally see what we have to look forward to. And it’s not the picture we’ve been promised.

BrooklynSpeaks goes to court for accountability on Atlantic Yards

Date/Time: Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 2:30 PM
Location: NY Supreme Court, 80 Centre Street, Room 328 in Manhattan
Contact: Jo Anne Simon – (917) 685-3747
Linda Gross, LCG Communications – (718) 853-5568; (917) 767-1141

On January 19, 2010 at 2:30 PM, New York Supreme Court Justice Marcy Friedman will hear arguments in a suit filed by several BrooklynSpeaks sponsors, elected officials and individuals challenging the approval of the Atlantic Yards Modified General Project Plan. The case will be heard in Room 328, 80 Centre Street in Manhattan.

BrooklynSpeaks sponsors provide housing, relocation relief to families displaced by Dean Street shelter closure

Residents of the Pacific Dean Annex shelter on Dean and Pacific Streets between Carlton and Vanderbilt Avenues were advised Monday, December 7 that the facility would close permanently on January 15 and begin demolition shortly thereafter.

Shelter management explained that displaced families are receiving no assistance from the Atlantic Yards developer, Forest City Ratner.

As of January 8, the Fifth Avenue Committee had leased permanent housing to four of the displaced families.

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