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October 13, 2005
DDDB Press Release: Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum Against the Use of Eminent Domain for Private Projects But Supports Bruce Ratner
Develop Don't Destroy Calls on Advocate to Withdraw Support for Ratner Project Which Uses Eminent Domain for Private Development Plan
NEW YORK, NEW YORK--During two primary debates in August incumbent New York City Public Advocate, Betsy Gotbaum, displayed an astounding dishonesty or detachment about the use of eminent domain for Bruce Ratner's 18-skyscrapers and arena proposed in Prospect Heights and Park Slope, Brooklyn. Ms. Gotbaum stated that Mr. Ratner will not use eminent domain for his project, and that she knows because he told her so.
During Tuesday night's general election debate Ms. Gotbaum said she is against the use of eminent domain for private development projects. The first official document on the Ratner Atlantic Yards plan were released by the Empire State Development Corporation on September 16. This document, the draft scope of analysis of the project, clearly states that eminent domain will be used for the project. The threat of eminent domain has hovered over the Brooklyn neighborhood since December 2003 when the proposal was unveiled.
Develop Don't Destroy spokesman, and a homeowner faced with a State seizure of his home to pave the way for the Ratner project, Daniel Goldstein, said, "Ms. Gotbaum is now simply being dishonest. On one hand she says she opposes eminent domain abuses, on the other she says Bruce Ratner's plan is wonderful. The problem is for two years now Bruce Ratner's plan has been, and is, dependent on the abuse of eminent domain. As public advocate her muddled and contradictory position on this issue needs clarification."
Goldstein continued, "She knows that Ratner's plan requires the use of eminent domain, as I, and others, informed her office many months ago. We can only conclude that she is exhibiting favoritism or is disengaged from one of the key public debates boiling in New York City and around the country. We hope she can show us that our conclusions are wrong."
In August Ms. Gotbaum stated that she is against the use of eminent domain but supports the Ratner project as it's her understanding eminent domain won't be used. She did say that if she learns otherwise, she would not support the Ratner project. The development proposal Forest City Ratner submitted to the MTA in July included a glowing letter of support from Ms. Gotbaum.
"Its time for Ms. Gotbaum to engage the powers of her office and oppose the abusive use of eminent domain for private gain at Atlantic Yards and everywhere else in the City," Goldstein concluded. "If she still doesn't believe eminent domain will be used for the Ratner plan, she is invited to meet some of her constituents in Brooklyn who can tell her otherwise. We expect that she will realize that she was terribly incorrect and inconsistent with her debate comments and will withdraw her support for the Ratner project."
Posted by lumi at October 13, 2005 9:52 PM