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October 6, 2006
ESDC's Gargano: "We cannot stop progress" (or share fiscal projections)
Atlantic Yards Report
Norman Oder obtained a copy of the transcript of tonight's episode of New York Voices: a documentary on Atlantic Yards.
A sneak peek at the interview with Empire State Development Corporation Chairman Charles Gargano reveals that:
Ten months later, he remains disturbingly misleading regarding basic questions about the project, confidently declaring that eminent domain will not be used and waving off questions about process and transparency. And if the p.r. process demands it, he can easily reverse himself, telling his interviewer, "We have been working with the developers to lower the size of the project."
Our favorite response from the Chairman concerns eminent domain:
Q: Are you willing to declare eminent domain and push them off the territory?
A: We are not using eminent domain at this point in time. I believe there was one instance where we might have, it wasn't necessary. It was in done in a [friendly] condemnation. We will look at that at the appropriate time. Right now it is not our intention to use eminent domain. It is our intention to work this out with those families and let them know that this new project will be very good for them in terms of what will be available to them on an affordable level rent rate.
Yeah, right... As Norman Oder points out, the Chairman hasn't read his agency's own documents (PDF).
Posted by lumi at October 6, 2006 8:07 AM