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June 16, 2008

The "Atlantic Yards Governance Act"

New York State Assembly

Herewith is the full text of Assembly Bill A11395, the "Atlantic Yards Governance Act," sponsored by Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (D-57) and co-sponsored by Assemblyman Jim Brennan (D-44) and Assemblywoman Joan Millman (D-52).

The bill proposes the creation of a trust to oversee the Atlantic Yards project, much in the same way that Battery Park City is managed.

  1. The planning and development of the Atlantic Yards project is a matter of state concern and in the interest of the people of the state. It may include both market rate and below market housing, new open space, commercial and retail development and a sports arena for New Yorkers, as well as alleviate unsatisfactory conditions of the current site.

  2. It is in the public interest for the state and city of New York to act together to oversee the development of the Atlantic Yards project and to ensure the public is fully engaged and involved in the design, development, and operation of the project, and in the development and implementation of policies to mitigate the project's anticipated environmental impacts.

  3. The planning, environmental review, interim improvement, and development process for the project that has been conducted to date has furthered the foregoing purposes. It is intended that the Atlantic Yards development trust, to the extent provided and subject to the limitations set forth in this act, replace the New York state urban development corporation with respect to its authority over the project, for among other things, the completion of the development process and the construction, operation and maintenance of the project, all in accordance with this act.

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NoLandGrab: Trying to legislate a role — any role — for the public in the process surrounding Atlantic Yards is commendable, but can they really be talking about Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards when they claim "the planning, environmental review, interim improvement, and development process for the project that has been conducted to date has furthered" the public's being "fully engaged and involved in the design, development, and operation of the project, and in the development and implementation of policies to mitigate the project's anticipated environmental impacts?"

Posted by eric at June 16, 2008 3:13 PM