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August 29, 2006

Pressure Mounts to Curb the Size of Atlantic Yards

The NY Sun
By David Lombino

State officials have discussed with the developer, Forest City Ratner, a reduction in the size of the project, a source said. The officials have said the downsizing should come in the next few weeks, before September 22, the end of the public comment period regarding the draft environmental impact statement, the source said. As proposed, Atlantic Yards would be the largest development project in Brooklyn's history and create the densest census tract in America.
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City officials said yesterday that the Department of City Planning is drafting written testimony that it will submit to the ESDC that will include comments about the proposed height and how the project fits in the context of the low-rise neighborhood.

Previously, the Bloomberg administration has supported the plan without reservation based on its job creation and affordable housing components. City Hall does not have an official vote on the matter, because the proposal circumvents the city’s uniform land use review process.
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If the developer reduces the project’s size, it should not expect instant community approval of the new plan. A spokesman for Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn, an umbrella organization of opposition groups, Daniel Goldstein, said a size reduction would not halt a legal challenge over the proposed use of eminent domain.

Mr. Goldstein said the organization would oppose the project until the developer changes the 22-acre project footprint, considers not building the basketball arena, and takes eminent domain off the table.He said he expected a size reduction as part of the developer’s strategy to seek approval.

“They shoot for the sun so they can get the moon.When they get the moon, they act like they have listened to the criticism and responded,” Mr. Goldstein said.

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Posted by lumi at August 29, 2006 7:56 AM