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April 6, 2007
Bender's Bender
Forest City Ratner's Executive Vice President felt compelled to go on a public-relations bender, though wethinks he doth protest too much:
"The suit filed today by project opponents should come as no surprise to anyone, as the opponents have claimed publicly that their strategy is to sue early and often.
"Despite numerous losses in court already, opponents are unfortunately continuing a strategy of legal maneuvering rather than constructive dialogue.
"For nearly four years, we participated in an exhaustive public review process, involving hundreds of meetings with local leaders and officials, including numerous public hearings, as well as countless meetings with community representatives. We have also complied with rigorous state and city requirements, resulting in what we believe is a better project.
"Today’s action is simply the latest in long line of attempts to derail Atlantic Yards and the over 2,500 units of affordable housing, thousands of jobs for the community, job training programs, a new precedent for minority and women workers and contractors, and a new exciting home for the Nets.
"We believe that the opponents’ claims are without merit and we will prevail in court. And as we have all along, we remain committed to ensuring that the Atlantic Yards development represents the best of Brooklyn."
The Knickerblogger took note of Bender's nod to "vote early and often," a "reference to political corruption in city politics."
That Forest City, the poster child for state and local corruption would use it strikes me just a tad ironic.
NoLandGrab: Even more ironic since Bender was weaned on the Brooklyn political machine and is Forest City's chief political operator.
Posted by lumi at April 6, 2007 11:03 AM