« Ward's Bakery: The Calm Before the Storm | Main | It came from the Blogosphere... »
March 26, 2007
More controversy in the Atlantic Yards project
Residents rally against demolition of 'Ward Bakery', located near site of new Nets arena
WABC Eyewitness News
By Ken Rosato
For nearly a century, it stood at 800 Pacific Street in Brooklyn's Prospect Heights neighborhood. The former Ward Bread Bakery building is in the heart of an industrial corridor that was once home to the Daily News printing plant and the Spalding sporting goods factory, a major dairy and an ice cream warehouse.
Today, demolition began to make way for part of the Atlantic Yards project that would include a new basketball arena for the Nets, and at least 16 residential and commercial skyscrapers. Many are opposed to the move however, and held a protest this morning.
Supporters of Forest City Ratner came out to frame the argument as those without jobs vs. those with wa-a-ay too much time on their hands:
"This project means, a lot to us that live in this neighborhood. Ratner is offering training and [an apprenticeship] program that is actually going to be life changing to people from over here," Brooklyn resident Caprice Watson said.
People like Caprice Watson are saying they just want a job and it is important that people realize that those protesting already have jobs and they do not.
NoLandGrab: Those supporters know what they are doing, by deflecting the argument about sustainable development, to "jobs."
In case you haven't administered your daily dose of Atlantic Yards Report, Norman Oder highlighted an interesting point made by Donovan Rypkema about preservation and local employment:
While new construction is half-labor, half materials, historic rehabilitation is 60% to 70% labor and puts more money in the local community. However, he acknowledged, it’s more piecemeal work and generally not unionized and thus not backed by organized labor.
Posted by lumi at March 26, 2007 2:31 PM