« A Barron Ruling Brooklyn? | Main | The Battle for Brooklyn »
May 17, 2007
The Atlantic Yards Ombudsperson Cometh
Brooklyn Downtown Star
By Norman Oder
As pre-construction demolition for the Atlantic Yards project has proceeded over the past few months, community groups around the Prospect Heights footprint have complained about the difficulty in getting answers about who’s responsible for what.
The fall of a parapet from the Ward Bakery April 26 compounded the concern. Now, in an implicit acknowledgment that the oversight for the controversial project has been insufficient, the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) has announced some significant reforms. The plan involves an ombudsperson to deal with elected officials, community representatives and the public; a new ESDC representative to monitor construction activities; and various working groups involving city and state agencies.
Also, a long-promised environmental monitor—initially supposed to be on board in March—will be hired. (An interim environmental monitor has been in place.) The plan was in the works before the Ward Bakery incident.
While one committee has already met, full implementation is not expected until the end of the month, at the earliest.
Posted by lumi at May 17, 2007 7:34 AM