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August 8, 2006
Press Release: SURVEY SHOWS MAJORITY OF PROSPECT PLACE RESIDENTS OPPOSE FOREST CITY RATNER'S ATLANTIC YARDS DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL
87% want block association to take stance against the development
Brooklyn, New York, August 8, 2006—The Prospect Place Block Association, a member of the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council (PHNDC), announced today the publication of the first comprehensive survey of local opinion about developer Bruce Ratner's proposed Atlantic Yards development. The survey focuses on both what Prospect Place residents think about Forest City Ratner's proposed development for Prospect Heights, and how they wish their local representatives to respond. It is the first such survey undertaken by any block association in Prospect Heights.
According to the survey, 87% of local residents want the Prospect Place Block Association to oppose the Atlantic Yards proposal, while 5% want it to take a position in favor. Of that 5%, most want to limit the size of development to 28 stories or less and are opposed the use of eminent domain, a position similar to the community principles endorsed by dozens of local groups. Those opposed outnumber those in favor by a 17-1 ratio. Only 2% are in favor of the proposal without height or other limitations.
Of those who responded, 94% support some development of the site, but 92% are opposed to development above 28 stories. The Ratner proposal calls for buildings up to 60 stories. 85% are opposed to eminent domain at the site.
"The large response to the survey suggests that residents are involved and informed regarding the issues," said Martie McNabb, a co-author of the survey. "The block association covers three blocks on Prospect Place from Flatbush Avenue to Underhill Avenue, and more than 150 people completed the survey. Forest City Ratner representatives like to proclaim that they are working to develop good relations with the community, but if they really have tried, they have failed spectacularly." The majority of residents expressed dismay at the density of the proposed development while voicing a strong commitment to their neighborhood. Some see the Atlantic Yards proposal as an affront to the spirit of Brooklyn, and almost all were strongly in favor of letting their views be known. The block association is the second in Prospect Heights to state its opposition to the Ratner proposal.
"I have always known that there was widespread opposition to Ratner's plan," said Claire Petrie. "But this survey provides the evidence that most of my neighbors reject the Ratner proposal outright, and support development that abides by the community's principles for responsible development at the Vanderbilt Railyards."
The Prospect Place Block Association formed an Atlantic Yards Taskforce to ascertain and represent the interests of the block residents; all residents of Prospect Place between Flatbush and Underhill were invited to join. The Taskforce made an intensive effort to reach every resident by mailing or delivering surveys door-to-door; it also posted flyers and approached residents on the street. The complete set of responses (without identities) is available on request.
(See PDF for more details)
For more information, please contact:
Raul Rothblatt
Prospect Place Block Association, Atlantic Yards Task Force >Representative
718-857-3150 or rrothblatt (at) gmail (dot)com
Prospect Place Block Association Atlantic Yards Taskforce
Posted by lumi at August 8, 2006 3:12 PM