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November 24, 2007
A Brooklyn Arena and the Street: What’s the Right Distance?
The New York Times
By Andy Newman
The New York Times revealed two days ago in its City Room blog that the planned Nets arena would be set back only 20 feet from adjacent streets. The story has now found its way into the Times's print edition.
The article highlights the evasion and finger-pointing that resulted from inquiries from bloggers regarding what the exact location of the arena might be:
The question of the arena’s planned location lingered, however: a strangely unknowable fact, given that when the arena is built — it is scheduled to open after 2009 — its precise location will be obvious to terrorist and nonterrorist alike.
Eventually, a straight answer emerges:
On Wednesday, a spokesman for Forest City, Loren Riegelhaupt, offered an updated response to a reporter’s inquiries: At its closest point to the street, the arena will be set back 20 feet from both Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues.
In Newark, the newly opened Prudential Center has a similar setback, and security concerns require street closings during that arena's events. Why isn't this an issue for an arena in Brooklyn? Forest City spokesman Loren Riegelhaupt says the police know, but the police aren't talking.
That, Mr. Riegelhaupt said, was a security question to be directed to the Police Department. The Police Department has said that it does not comment on such matters. The department’s security analysis, which found that the arena was safe and streets need not be closed on game days, would stand.
Posted by steve at November 24, 2007 7:46 AM