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August 10, 2007
It came from the Blogosphere...
Gothamist, 421-a Bill Revised, Affordable Housing Hopes Revived
This explanation of the 421-a reform bill compromise relies on the Times coverage, which, unlike some of the other dailies, didn't grasp the full picture of the Atlantic Yards carveout. Gothamist reports:
As for affordable housing at the Atlantic Yards, the affordable units will have to be built at the same time as market rate ones, and 20% of any building must be affordable to get the full benefit from 421-a.
If Ratner chooses to construct some buildings without affordable housing, he wouldn't "get the full benefit from 421-a," but he would still receive a partial tax break, and the household income tweak for Atlantic Yards is still in the bill, which would make Ratner affordable housing more costly for those who might live there.
Brownstoner, Call for Formal Public Involvement in AY Planning
Coverage of the BrooklynSpeaks press conference:
“Impotence,” “minimum accountability” and “lack of oversight”: That’s how elected officials and local leaders who gathered for a press conference yesterday characterized public involvement—or the absence thereof—in the Atlantic Yards planning process. The meeting was organized by Brooklyn Speaks to call for the creation of governance bodies that would ensure community involvement in Atlantic Yards planning. Speakers including Councilwoman Letitia James, Democratic District Leader Jo Ann Simon, Assembly member Jim Brennan and Municipal Arts Society President Kent Barwick emphasized that Atlantic Yards has sailed through the state’s approval process without the formal public review normally granted to major developments. “Some of the most talented people on the planet live in Brooklyn,” said Barwick (at left), “and yet there’s no public involvement in its largest development.”
Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn, NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR THE BROOKLYN PAPER
Brooklyn blogger and columnist gives props to her home away from home:
Props to Ed and Celia Weintrob and everyone at the Brooklyn Paper for this distinction. The Suburban Newspapers of America cited general excellence but gave special praise to the paper for its coverage of the Atlantic Yards. I am looking forward to my drink with my esteemed editor, Gersh Kuntzman
Bridge and Tunnel Club, Bruce Ratner's So Loaded, He Leaves $400 Hammers Lying Around!
The Brooklyn Paper's police blotter has an item about a robbery at the Atlantic Yards construction site. Included in the booty was a $400 hammer. BTC notes, "When you start construction pre-emptively, there's always the danger that people will swipe stuff left unattended," and wonders, "What exactly does a $400 hammer do anyway?"
Posted by lumi at August 10, 2007 8:05 AM