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August 8, 2006
NY Times Gets One Right
Neighborhood Retail Alliance (aka momandpopnewyork.blogspot.com), run by Ratner consultant Richard Lipsky, says "The NY Times Gets One Right," but a NY Times letterwriter (posted on Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn's web site) "doesn't really get it."
The letterwriter asks, "Why exactly is it important for Brooklyn to have a major sports team-when 25% of the population of the borough lives under the poverty level?"
Lipsky cites economic development:
This guy doesn't really get it. In the first place a new franchise, one that doesn't preexist in the city, will be a tremendous revenue generator for New York.
In addition, the creation of youth basketball programs will, "build a successful foundation for the team."
Lipsky shares Forest City Ratner Atlantic Yard Group President Jim Stuckey's view about calls for more time for "meaningful review:"
The AY project has been the most reviewed project in our memory. When opponents talk about better review in this regard what they generally mean is for more opportunities to dramatize their grievances.
So AY has been inspected to death and the critics have given us an exhaustive array of faults that they say make the project unworthy of support. They'll have another chance this month and later in September. After which all we'll be waiting for is that first shovel in the ground that will signal the coming of the Nets to Brooklyn.
Posted by lumi at August 8, 2006 6:48 AM