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December 25, 2009
Yards opponents never say never
Brooklyn Downtown Star, Editorial
The Downtown Star salutes Atlantic Yards opponents for fighting the good fight.
For a somewhat small but passionate few, this is still the top story, an all-consuming every day beast to contend with. The people in this category include the developer Bruce Ratner, of course, the state, the city and finally the stalwart opponents of the plan.
This last group, more than anyone else, has shown a limitless energy for the project that is at once crazy and courageous. Led by, at various times, elected officials like Councilwoman Letitia James, the community activist Daniel Goldstein, and many, many others, they just don’t seem to stop.
Goldstein in particular reminds one of the Jamaican bobsledder in the movie Cool Runnings: when asked if the words give up mean anything to him, he answers “Not a thing.”
At some point, maybe even any day now (though judging by this project’s history maybe not for years) Atlantic Yards will break decisively in one way or another.
Considering that the odds are always on the side that has the most money and power, it’s a solid bet Ratner takes it in the end and goes on to build his arena, collection of buildings and what not, and in so doing transforms Brooklyn in a meaningful way - for better or for worse, you be the judge - for generations to come.
Until that moment comes, its worth pausing to acknowledge the tremendous community effort to block the project.
However it plays out, they’ve put up a hell of a fight.
Posted by eric at December 25, 2009 9:19 AM