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September 29, 2009

Marty hails Nets' buyer

The NY Post
By Rich Calder

After a week, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz broke his studied silence over Bruce Ratner's deal to sell a majority stake in the NJ Nets and a minorty share of the oneday-to-be-built arena to Russian oligarch Mikhail Prokhorov.

"Brooklyn is the Russian capital of America, so Mr. Prokhorov will feel right at home here, and I have been assured he will put the interests of Brooklyn first when it comes to making [the planned] Barclays Center and its benefits to Brooklyn a reality," Markowitz told the Post.

The beep sought to dispute borough politicians and political operates sourced in Friday’s edition who said Markowitz behind closed doors is embarrassed and angry over developer Bruce Ratner’s announcement last week that he plans to sell a majority stake in the Nets to Prokhorov.

article

NoLandGrab: Brooklynites can rest assured that Marty has "been assured" that Prokhorov "will put the interests of Brooklyn first?" That's hardly believable, or a ringing endorsement for that matter.

Thanks Marty and Bruce, we can now look forward to the use of tax dollars and eminent domain to further enrich a Russian oligarch — "Mr. Prokhorov will feel right at home here" indeed.

Mr. Burns from "The Simpsons" said it best, "Welcome to the American dream: a billionaire using public funds, to construct a private playground for the rich and powerful."

Atlantic Yards Report, Finally, Marty Markowitz embraces the Prokhorov purchase of the Nets and the arena

It took a little while--and an anonymously sourced New York Post story saying he was steamed and embarrassed--but Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz now says he's happy Russian mogul Mikhail Prokhorov is buying 80% of the Nets and 45% of the Barclays Center.
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Note that Markowitz is not talking about the project's benefits to Brooklyn, because the timetable is very murky.

As for benefits to Brooklyn, no one's quite toted them up. We know that the New York City Independent Budget Office says the arena would be a net loss for the city.

NoLandGrab: For the record, Marty didn't say he was "happy," only that he was "assured."

Posted by lumi at September 29, 2009 5:12 AM