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February 21, 2009
Recession? Markowitz Says Not in Brooklyn
Downtown Brooklyn Star
Daniel Bush
And in a pledge sure to draw criticism from opponents, Markowitz vowed to push through the beleaguered Atlantic Yards project.The project - potentially the biggest in the borough - calls for a new sports arena for the New Jersey Nets, apartment buildings, and open space on a vast tract of railyard land that has been unused for years. Plans for the site have been downsized significantly in the past few years in response to organized opposition from some elected officials, residents, and some community groups who have sued the developer, Forest City Ratner, in an effort to block the development.
The Star should never have sent a non-shovel-ready reporter to cover Atlantic Yards when Norman Oder is looking. Atlantic Yards Report makes the corrections:
No, it's not on the railyard only.No, the railyard is not "unused;" it's still a railyard, but until recently a platform for above-ground development hasn't been fiscally feasible.
And, no, the downsizing hasn't been significant.
Reaction to Markowitz's speech from other Brooklyn politicians varied:
"Markowitz was very entertaining and he covered every point in my district," said Councilwoman Letitia James, whose district includes parts of Downtown Brooklyn. "But unfortunately Atlantic Yards is not shovel-ready and it never will be."Others, like Councilman Bill de Blasio, praised Markowitz for delivering a speech that encouraged and lauded borough residents for fighting through difficult economic times. "It’s such a fun experience to hear Markowitz talk about the people of Brooklyn," de Blasio said. "Markowitz has so much energy. He really personifies the Brooklyn ideal."
Maybe Bill was stuttering or something because surely he meant to say "He really personifies the Brooklyn back room deal."
Posted by amy at February 21, 2009 11:51 AM