« We've Got Some Questions | Main | Too Bright for Brooklyn »
December 18, 2006
Predicting The Big Stories in 2007
Marty Markowitz sells "Jobs, Housing and Hoops" as he predictably prognosticates that one of the big stories of 2007 will be "Atlantic Yards:"
The Atlantic Yards project will bring thousands of new union jobs to Brooklyn as we eagerly anticipate the arrival of the Brooklyn Nets and thousands of units of affordable housing in our enhanced and vibrant downtown.
Earth to Marty: The Atlantic Yards project won't bring a stick of housing in 2007, even if Bruce Ratner knocks the place down and gets a shovel in the ground.
Here's a prediction from a columnist who has been paying a lot of attention (to Errol Louis?):
SAMUEL FREEDMAN – NEW YORK TIMES COLUMNIST, AUTHOR OF SMALL VICTORIES
1) The Atlantic Yards plan will be either defeated by racial politics or terminally bogged down in court challenges.
Earth to Freedman: Thanks for noticing, but seriously, does anyone really think that "racial politics" are going to defeat the project before it sinks under the weight of serious environmental concerns like traffic, traffic, and traffic?
ELAINE RIVERA – STATE POLITICS REPORTER FOR WNYC
The big stories of 2007 will be:
2. What happens with Atlantic Yards. If Sheldon Silver nixes the project, it will be the third development project he has nixed -- first here was the West Side Stadium, then the Moynihan Station.
Earth to anyone listening: We predict the reasons to support Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards project will continue to ebb and the reasons to be really damn worried will increase, that is, if some big-time pol doesn't put the kibbosh on this boondoggle.
Another prediction: Bruce Ratner will continue to lose sleep over Atlantic Yards Report.
Posted by lumi at December 18, 2006 7:09 AM