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May 16, 2006
Some Views on Two Forest City Ratner Developments
Attorney Debra Cohen explains how Forest City Ratner systematically ignores the concerns of people who presently live in the communities near two local controversial project proposals, Yonker's Ridge Hill and Brooklyn's Atlantic Yards.
At a recent Yonkers City Council meeting a member of the public pointed out to a developer, who was there seeking approval to build an apartment building along the Hudson River, that he had neglected to provide schematics of the view commuters at the nearby train station would have of the river and the Palisades after his project was completed. A city official standing in the wings was overheard to snort somewhat disdainfully, “What’s the big deal? When I’m at the station, I’m watching for the train not looking up at the view”.
I was reminded of this incident while reading two articles in this morning’s papers that both discussed problems developer Forest City Ratner is having with developments in Brooklyn and Yonkers. They both provoked thoughts of how one’s vantage point changes one’s “views”.
In an article in The New York Times, “Developer Defends Atlantic Yards, Saying Towers Won’t Corrupt the Feel of Brooklyn”, FCR defends its plans for a massive redevelopment that includes a sports arena and commercial and residential buildings. The developer’s world-famous architect described his vision as creating “different levels of iconicity”. A spokesman for a coalition of neighborhood groups who have joined together in response to the project say that 16 skyscrapers will be “slammed on top of and next to low-rise, historic neighborhoods. The architect calls it progress and says the project’s critics “should’ve been picketing Henry Ford”. The community people call the developer’s vision for the neighborhoods an “urban planning disaster” because the architect and the developer “continue to ignore the community”.
Traveling 20 miles north to Yonkers, the headline in today’s Journal News reads “Ridge Hill Project Proceeds Despite Court Ruling Against It.” Again developer Forest City Ratner has put forward an ambitious development plan that the surrounding communities believe must be altered or it will permanently destroy the character of their neighborhoods and quality of life of local residents.
The article describes how FCR is “forging ahead with its Ridge Hill Village proposal seeking regulatory approvals” despite a successful lawsuit by local residents that invalidated a zoning ordinance necessary for the project to move forward. FCR’s spokesman justifies their aggressive approach because, “We feel we have vast support of the vast majority of Yonkers residents and taxpayers and we are confident we can get it approved”. This in spite of the fact that critics include thousands of residents represented by every neighborhood association encircling the perimeter of the 81 acre project, who say that the developers have isolated themselves from the public and refused to give serious consideration to their concerns that the project, as presently planned, will overwhelm the area with traffic and fails to accurately delineate the economic costs and benefits it will bring to the City.
How do we reconcile the differences between Forest City Ratner’s visions for the neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Yonkers from those of the people who presently call them home? What do its executives see when they look out the window of the top floor of their massive Brooklyn headquarters? Does their view from the executive suite include the people sitting on their front stoop, watching their children play, while sharing a cup of coffee with friends? Similarly, what do they see when they look down from the top of Ridge Hill in Yonkers? Does it allow them to understand what makes each neighborhood surrounding their proposed “village” unique and strong?
Perhaps Forest City Ratner has the money and power to bulldoze its vision over the will of the people whose communities they seek to change forever. Maybe they are willing to risk their projects’ futures on the chance that people power can’t triumph over money and political connections. On the other hand, they could discover that this way of doing business is as outdated as Henry Ford’s Model T. Perhaps “progress” would be to stop “developing” communities by waging war with the people who will be their future neighbors, tenants and customers. And perhaps better developments would be the result if they came down more often from their executive suites, and the top of the hill, to appreciate the perspective of the people who look up to enjoy the view.
Also posted on YonkersTribune.
Debra Cohen is an attorney based in White Plains, N.Y. who has worked with many community groups in Westchester and New York City to support their meaningful participation in the development process.
Posted by lumi at May 16, 2006 1:09 PM