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March 11, 2010
Protests mar groundbreaking for NJ Nets' NYC arena
Amid residents' protests, officials break ground for Brooklyn arena where NJ Nets will play
AP via Yahoo! Finance
by Karen Matthews
Officials broke ground Thursday on a much-delayed 22-acre development project that will bring the NBA's New Jersey Nets to Brooklyn.
As protesters chanted and staged a mock funeral for the "soul" of Brooklyn, supporters enjoyed a lavish spread catered by developer Bruce Ratner.
"Today is a great day for Brooklyn and for the soul of Brooklyn, which is very much alive," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, the biggest cheerleader of the Atlantic Yards project since it was announced in 2003.
...The officials spoke inside a tent at the groundbreaking site, while the protesters shouted and blew whistles outside.
"What they're going to build is a money-losing arena, maybe one or two towers and acres and acres of parking," said Daniel Goldstein, founder of the group Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn.
His wife, Shabnam Merchant, stood Thursday in front of their home, which has been seized by the state to make way for the project, although they have yet to leave. She held her 16-month-old daughter and a sign that said: "You're celebrating? We live here."
Posted by eric at March 11, 2010 7:15 PM