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April 22, 2010
Goldstein statement cites pressure from judge, explains rationale for settlement; can his functions be replaced and can DDDB continue its activism?
Atlantic Yards Report
While the news, according to the Daily News's tabloid non-analysis, is that Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB) spokesman Daniel Goldstein "scored" $3 million--actually, much less after attorney's fees, as I explained--the bigger questions are both answered and left open in a long statement Goldstein released late last night.
Goldstein noted that he hadn't expected a settlement nor thought of the press implications but "I should have known better because clearly Forest City Ratner saw it as a big press event and sent out a press release immediately."
The full statement is below, but let me focus on three things:
- what drove the settlement
- the impact on pending court cases
- the impact on the Atlantic Yards fight
The bottom line: a bargain for FCR?
The bottom line, as I see it, is that, while Goldstein may have made an understandable and defensible decision, Forest City Ratner will have gotten a bargain if it has not only removed a physical and vocal obstacle but left DDDB and the Atlantic Yards opposition severely hamstrung.
While Goldstein indicates that the AY fight is far from over, it remains unclear what will become of DDDB, or how Goldstein will participate in it and/or support it.
Posted by eric at April 22, 2010 9:09 AM