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March 14, 2010
What Is Atlantic Yards? A Complete Failure of Democracy
Huffington Post
By Daniel Goldstein
On the occasion of Bruce Ratner's Boondoggle Celebration and Groundbreakingtaking Ceremony (must-read coverage of the event from Atlantic Yards Report, and Curbed's live blogging--lobster sliders and all) for the elite, connected, wealthy, powerful and bought out, it's time for a short multiple choice quiz...
Question: What is Atlantic Yards?
A. A Corrupt Land Grab.
B. A Taxpayer Ripoff.
C. A Bait and Switch of Epic Proportions.
D. A Complete Failure of Democracy.
E. All of the above.Answer: E
Which raises another question: Why were so many elected officials, journalists and everyday citizens willing to look the other way?
The best answer I can come up with is that too many simply didn't care (not to discount the many many millions spent on lobbyists and PR firms).
The sad and depraved history of Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards project was celebrated yesterday with a ceremonial groundbreaking attended by the elected officials most responsible for greasing its skids. It is nothing to celebrate.
Posted by steve at March 14, 2010 8:26 AM