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January 12, 2008

Markowitz Cheers Court Decision Against Community

Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn

Your Borough President (and future mayoral candidate?) Markowitz issued a press statement about Judge Madden's decision on the community's lawsuit against the environmental review and approval of Atlantic Yards.

Here's Markowitz's statement:

Score a big victory for Brooklyn's future. This latest court decision from State Supreme Court Justice Madden, which comes on the heels of a similar ruling by the Federal District Court last summer, reaffirms the public benefits of the Atlantic Yards project for Brooklyn — thousands of units of affordable housing, thousands of union jobs, and our much-anticipated return to sports' major leagues. The project's world-class architecture, on-site school, street-level shopping, and accessible public open space will enhance Downtown Brooklyn, knitting together surrounding neighborhoods to create a vibrant cultural center over Brooklyn's largest public transportation hub.

Now, as we move to the implementation stage, we must ensure that impacts are minimized and any meritorious concerns of residents are addressed. With these goals in mind, let's get the shovels on the ground, let's get this affordable housing built, and let's get ready to root for the Brooklyn Nets, our new home team!”

We wonder when/how Markowitz plans on addressing the "meritorious concerns of residents." The "meritorious concerns" have been repeated over and over for 4 years, and he has not addressed a single one.

Alas, he seems to have forgotten that you can't "get shovels on [sic] the ground" when there are people whose homes, businesses and properties are located where he wants to "get shovels on [sic] the ground."

link

Posted by amy at January 12, 2008 1:50 PM