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February 1, 2008
Assemblyman Jeffries' "State of the District" Address
Atlantic Yards Report
State of the 57th: Jeffries talks housing, skirts AY
Norman Oder does in-depth coverage of Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries' "State of the District" address, given this past Thursday evening. Atlantic Yards received only a passing mention in the speech.
The only nod to AY was a repeat of Jeffries' careful formulation that he opposes eminent domain to remove residents to build a basketball arena--not eminent domain for the project as a whole--just as he opposes the rumored privatization of public housing.
The audience clapped much harder for his statement about public housing than his mention of eminent domain and Atlantic Yards. (I interviewed him several weeks ago about eminent domain, and conclude his statement is essentially toothless.)
Looking at Jeffries' opposition to eminent domain for the AY arena
There is additional analysis of Assemblyman Jeffries' stance on Atlantic Yards. His strategy seems to be that he will make statements that cast doubt on the wisdom of the project, but not take action to oppose it.
Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, elected in 2006, has long held a (take your pick) nuanced or calculated position on Atlantic Yards, supporting the goals for minority hiring/contracting and affordable housing, yet criticizing transportation planning and excess density, and declaring that he opposed eminent domain to build a basketball arena--though not for the project as a whole.
He mentioned that issue again Wednesday night at his "State of the District" address, which allows him to be critical of the project without actually joining the opponents who are suing to block eminent domain.
In response to Norman Oder's questions, Jeffries avers that there would be "consequences" should the State try to exercise eminent domain for Atlantic Yards.
“If they pull the trigger,” he said, “it’s a tough political decision that I think will have negative implications on their ability to move forward with their agenda. That’s just my instincts, but assuming my other colleagues are as passionate as I am, there are going to be consequences.”
Posted by steve at February 1, 2008 6:39 AM