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March 11, 2010
Statement by Council Member Letitia James regarding the Ceremonial Groundbreaking of Barclays Center at Atlantic Yards
He, who has money, has power, influence, and ultimately politicians.
It is a sad day in Brooklyn when basketball rules over affordable housing, schools, playgrounds, youth centers, libraries, and MetroCards for students. This ceremonial groundbreaking best represents the priorities of a few misguided men, and will do nothing to fix the budget deficits on either the State, or local levels.
The proposed Atlantic Yards Project is not about jobs or housing, but about bailing out a developer with friends in high places, for an NBA team that is the worst in the league. Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg should commit today to refuse any additional public dollars towards this boondoggle and demand that the affordable housing be built immediately.
I will now take on the fight to keep Forest City Ratner Companies true to their promises: to build much needed affordable housing, provide opportunities for local women and minority businesses, and to mitigate the adverse affects of ongoing construction and traffic congestion in this district.
I refused to celebrate with FCR today, and I renew my objection to this entire project, the process, the land grabbing, and the waste of public funds.
Posted by eric at March 11, 2010 8:58 PM