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February 16, 2006

Collaborative, arm's length, or just cheerleading? ESDC's Gargano embraces Ratner plan

TimesRatnerReport

Justice Edmead didn't buy Forest City Ratner's and the Empire State Development Corporation's (ESDC) argument that the relationship between the parties is "collaborative."

But:

ESDC Chairman Charles Gargano gives little cause for confidence. He recently said he knew nothing of any conflict of interest posed by the agency's lawyer, didn't know the agency rents space in a mall owned by Ratner, and endorsed the Atlantic Yards project without reservation, even before the environmental impact statement has been issued.

Norman Oder looks back at Gargano's past statements to illustrate how the ESDC — a public agency whose organizing principle is to do large projects without a lot of red tape — became Bruce Ratner's business partner.

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Posted by lumi at February 16, 2006 7:32 AM