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November 16, 2006

Ratner adds PS to Yards

Tries to sweeten deal but critics unsatisfied

NY Daily News
By Denise Romano and Elizabeth Hays

In a bid to quiet critics, developer Bruce Ratner plans to add a school to his controversial Atlantic Yards Nets arena complex and free subway rides for all ticket-holders.

But opponents said the changes don't go far enough to solve anticipated crowding and traffic at the 22-acre site - and accused state officials of trying to ram the project through before Eliot Spitzer becomes governor Jan. 1.
...
Under the new plan, Ratner will provide space for a 650-seat school, including spots for 270 elementary students, 320 middle-schoolers and 60 special-education students.

But critics say the state's own numbers show the project would create a shortfall of 1,372 elementary seats in the area when finished in 2016.

"It doesn't go nearly far enough," said District 15 Community Education Council President Mary-Powel Thomas.

It is not clear whether Ratner or the city would pay to build the school, or whether the space would be given for free or leased.

article

NoLandGrab: Will Forest City Ratner pay to build the public school?

Consider this: one of the most powerful people in New York, State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, held out for a public school at the Ratner/Gehry Beekman St. project in Lower Manhattan. The $65 million school is being paid for with public funds (including $20 million from the Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Corporation) and will be the most expensive public school ever built by the Department of Education.

Posted by lumi at November 16, 2006 6:52 AM