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January 7, 2010
Brooklyn Shelter To Close For Atlantic Yards Development
WNYC Radio
by Matthew Schuerman
The Pacific Dean shelter lies on the eastern end of the Atlantic Yards footprint. It was long expected to close, although the property won't be developed into apartment towers for several years. In the short term, developer Forest City Ratner will use the land to store the construction vehicles that will build a basketball arena. That's expected to start later this year. As many as 80 families with children stay in the shelter. The Department of Homeless Services says it's already placed most of them in permanent housing and will move the remaining 20 to 25 families into other comparable shelters. Homeless advocates say the closure comes at an inopportune time, given that record numbers of poor families need living spaces.
NoLandGrab: The building that houses the shelter is being taken by eminent domain — the owner hadn't wanted to sell — so the city is obligingly evicting the residents.
The Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council has established a fund to assist in the relocation of shelter residents. For more info and to make a donation, click here.
Posted by eric at January 7, 2010 10:45 AM