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December 22, 2005
Atlantic Yards and the Obligations of Leadership
Our Time Press
by Errol Louis
Commentator and local activist Errol Louis outlines his case for supporting Ratner's Atlantic Yards proposal and criticizes local African-American politicians for not standing with Assemblymember Roger Green to negotiate the Community Benefits Agreement.
Atlantic Yards, unlike any of the other listed development projects, already has a publicly stated, legally binding community benefits agreement that promises hefty percentages of the project’s dollars and jobs will go to minority- and women-owned businesses and local residents. At this stage of the game the question should be how and when the dollars will begin flowing into central Brooklyn.
Politicians will continue allowing such once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to pass by until and unless the public begins demanding action, answers and accountability from leaders who need a reminder about keeping their eyes on the main prize – prosperity.
TimesRatnerReport analyzes Errol Louis's commentary and concludes that Louis fudges the issue since many of the contracts slated to go to minority-owned firms that are not locally owned or operated and therefore would not be the catalyst for growing the African-American middle class in Brooklyn.
NoLandGrab: Ratner has already established a pretty fair track record for contracting with women- and minority-owned firms. However, despite that record, criticism remains that Forest City Ratner projects have NEVER delivered on promises of local economic prosperity. Many Brooklynites "pay no attention to that man behind the curtain," but wonder why Errol Louis does.
Posted by lumi at December 22, 2005 7:12 AM