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February 25, 2007
Work begins on Atlantic Yards project - Construction crews get started despite pending court cases that could block towers
Courier Life
Stephen Witt gives a lovely run-down of all the construction and demolition firms hired so far, listing whether they are minority or woman-owned, but not whether they are Brooklyn firms. He also allows Ratner three solid paragraphs of pure PR speak, and Stuckey gets his comments in as well. Aside from the title, there is not one mention of the lawsuits, even though he asserts that specific building in the footprint of the arena are to be knocked down:
In addition to the preparatory work, FCRC said they plan on demolishing on of their buildings – a former automotive repair shop -- at 179 Flatbush Avenue to make way for the Barclay’s Center arena and 16-skyscraper project.
As you, our more informed readers, already know, Daniel Goldstein's building ("center court") is at the center of the eminent domain lawsuit, and the arena plans cannot go forward unless the court case is settled in the developer's favor.
Also keeping FCRC at its word is the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), who earlier this month put out an RFP (Request for Proposals) for an environmental monitor on their behalf to oversee the construction.The monitor will assure that mitigating measures addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement are kept during the construction and other phases of the development.
Among the requirement items the ESDC environmental monitor will oversee include protecting nearby historic buildings, traffic conditions, air and noise quality, the scheduling of truck deliveries, rodent control and implementation of measures to retain and detain storm water.
Will they be protecting historic buildings like the Ward Bakery, which they want to demolish???
Posted by amy at February 25, 2007 11:05 AM