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June 20, 2007
It came from the Blogosphere...
Gumby Fresh, What The Hell Did They Expect For Their Lousy 35 Cents?
When it comes to the sale of MTA property, the appointment of real estate developers to head the MTA works for guys like Ratner.
Top real estate developer's son Governor Elliot Spitzer has nominated a real estate developer to run the MTA, succeeding another real estate developer. I can only assume that the PR thinking behind this is that we'll be pathetically grateful it's not Donald Trump Jr.
Probably the most baleful thing about the government of New York City, or perhaps a close second to the democratic party's grip on the city's lower levels of government, is the extent of the influence of real estate developers on the political process. Moreover it's basically the only constituency in the city that neither Spitzer nor Mayor Bloomberg have been willing to take on.
...the appointment is a fairly effective way of making sure the MTA does not get in the way of any lucrative projects, either by questioning their sustainability (Atlantic Yards), or making sure that sales are done at attractive prices (Atlantic Yards, Hudson Yards), and avoiding disturbing any pricey investments (if the Second Avenue Subway was running anywhere apart from the Upper East Side it would have been open in 1985).
Queens Crap, Johnny Liu: born-again preservationist
"Crappy" rounds up online commentary about Liu's support for Duffield St. preservationists, in the wake of his silence on preservation issues in his own district and footprint of Atlantic Yards.
Mitchell Langbert's Blog, The Jacksonian Party versus Michael Bloomberg
A relatively new political blogger's view of Mayor Bloomberg's latest political powerplay makes references to Ratner and eminent domain:
The Mayor has spent the past six years kowtowing to the city's power brokers. He has busied himself with restaurant menus, west side football stadiums and a long range vision statement that mimics the failed ideas of Robert Moses. While he has harassed small business, he has catered to billionaire developers like Bruce Ratner. During his tenure, city government has been bloated, New York City's taxes inflated, and the divsions between rich and poor sharp as ever.
If Mayor Bloomberg were elected president, real estate prices in Peoria would follow New York's. Private use eminent domain would mushroom. Bruce Ratner and the Ochs Sulzbergers could blight Peoria with tasteless super-projects.
Posted by lumi at June 20, 2007 8:10 AM