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February 17, 2009
PRESS RELEASE: BROOKLYNSPEAKS SPONSORS CALL ON GOVERNOR TO REJECT FOREST CITY RATNER’S REQUEST FOR FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS FOR ATLANTIC YARDS
Cite project’s uncertainty, lack of oversight, accountability and transparency
BrooklynSpeaks speaks out in opposition to yet another helping of pork for Atlantic Yards developer Bruce Ratner.
The sponsors of BrooklynSpeaks, a coalition of community and civic groups seeking to reform the proposed Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn, today called on Governor Paterson to reject the request by Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC) for federal stimulus funds. The sponsors cited the unknown nature of the developer’s current plans and the lack of oversight, accountability and transparency surrounding the project’s governance.
“The original Atlantic Yards plan was conceived for the economy of 2004. In 2009, that plan is no longer feasible, and the current design, program and schedule for the project is unknown,” said Prospect Height Neighborhood Development Council (PHNDC) representative Gib Veconi. “Providing stimulus for Atlantic Yards now would amount to the Governor approving a new project before it’s been disclosed to the public.”
“From the beginning, Atlantic Yards has been a public-private partnership in which the public has not been represented,” added District Leader Jo Anne Simon. “Atlantic Yards continues to be a project without any mechanism for meaningful participation by the community or local elected officials, or any true oversight or accountability from the State. To award stimulus funds when Atlantic Yards’ timeline and essential characteristics remain question marks would not only be bad for Brooklyn, but runs directly counter to the criteria for eligible, shovel-ready projects established by Congress.”
Posted by eric at February 17, 2009 4:59 PM