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March 9, 2011
The word on the street: I live in Park Slope/Boerum Hill/Gowanus/Atlantic Yards
Dave Ford Does Earth
So, the biggest thing I am running into in this part of Brooklyn–is the fact that there is a serious debate going on about what this neighborhood is actually called. Technically, I think I live in Park Slope. But, believe me, this isn’t Park Slope. Gowanus, named after one of the filthiest waterways on planet earth is right across the street. Boerum Hill was invented by real estate agents during the boom in the mid 200o’s. And then there is Atlantic Yards….
Atlantic Yards is the name of grounds that they are building the new Brooklyn Nets basketball arena. According to all of the people I am meeting–this has been a local political nightmare. The project has displaced people (through the law of eminent domain) of all shapes colors and sizes. It has also displaced a ton of local business’–and neighborhood restaurants and bars. The Whites, Blacks, and Arabs in the area are all equally pissed off about this new arena–as they have all been equally removed. Although, there is the counterpoint in play about how cool it would be to be able to walk to see a professional basketball game “in Brooklyn”. I would definitely like to walk to see a professional basketball team play in the BK! Does that make me a bad person?
Is that rhetorical or do you want us to answer?
So, my devious, mastermind plan to actually rename this area that I live in “Atlantic Yards” is appearing to not be so politically savvy. Although, damn it, I just like the ring of it! People are legitimately hot and bothered about all of this–almost to the point of fisticuffs.
NoLandGrab: Don't worry, we draw the line at violence.
Posted by eric at March 9, 2011 11:52 AM