« Raucous Crowd Reacts To $4.2B Brooklyn Development Plan | Main | Nets Arena Gets Glowing Endorsement from 2 Players »
August 23, 2006
Brooklynites come out to comment on Atlantic Yards development
AP, via NY Newsday
Supporters carried signs that said: "Jobs, housing, hoops," while opponents lined up to complain, and hoisted banners reading: "Housing yes, Atlantic Yards no."
Proponents say Atlantic Yards will be good for the area. The mayor's office expects the project will create 12,000 construction jobs and 8,500 permanent jobs.
"I think this will financially benefit the whole downtown area, and everyone here," said Danford Stewart, 46, a construction worker.
But many residents booed, arguing the proposal would ruin the neighborhood aesthetic, and strain the area, causing overcrowding in schools and traffic chokepoints. ESDC's environmental impact study echoed similar concerns.
NoLandGrab: Reality check, that's 3,740 permanent jobs according to Forest City Ratner Atlantic Yards Development Group President Jim Stuckey, most of which are relocated, not new jobs.
Posted by lumi at August 23, 2006 11:24 PM