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July 8, 2005
YARD FIGHT
The Slatin Report
Containing some previously unreported items, Peter Slatin compares the rival bids for the railyards that "reflect starkly contrasting development philosophies and divergent approaches to the Brooklyn neighborhoods in question."
A rumor about the still secret price tag offered by the two developers:
"[S]ources close to Extell claim that their bid price may exceed that of the more firmly entrenched opposing bid. No confirmation of that was available from the MTA, which, unlike its actions on the Hudson Rail Yards, declined to reveal the bids for this public land."
And, another rumor about what is driving Ratner's plan:
Sources have told The Slatin Report that the scale of Ratner's project is being driven not by the requirements of the district nor by a compelling urban vision, but rather by the high price being paid for the sports franchise and the need to create additional revenue streams.
Though Slatin cautions about comparing the MTA bid process for the Brooklyn yards to the Hudson Railyards:
"one parallel is worth highlighting: what has created the opportunity for Extell to acquire and develop a unique parcel of public land has been Ratner's apparent overreaching vision, an insistent belief in its absolute rightness and a connection to political power that feels like entitlement and brushes aside community. "
Posted by lumi at July 8, 2005 8:51 PM