« Those "First Home Game since 1957" signs? The Nets pay $25 for putting them up in store windows | Main | Report: schedule indicates Carlton Avenue Bridge delayed, but could meet arena opening date thanks to overtime; ESDC says "mitigation plan" reference incorrect; arena still on schedule for September 5; transit connection slips to mid-AugustThe report, dat »
June 11, 2012
At clergy-led rally for arena justice, some new voices, some ironies, and a request for new oversight; "we're not just going to get caught up in the [Nets/Jay-Z] hype"
Atlantic Yards Report
In the annals of Atlantic Yards rallies, yesterday's rally catercorner to the nearly-finished Barclays Center arena, was on the not-huge side, perhaps 130-150 people, but with new energy sparked by the several clergypeople, as well as four elected officials, two of them longtime project opponents representing the Atlantic Yards site.
And part of the message--bring the promised jobs and affordable housing now--came not without irony, as it echoed the message from Atlantic Yards proponents, issued when the project faced legal or jurisdictional roadblocks.
Then again, those proponents seem muzzled, by contract, dependence, or prudence, unable to even publicly demand the Independent Compliance Monitor required by the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) they signed, leaving Forest City Ratner, as one speaker yesterday put it, the fox guarding the henhouse.
Foxy.
And the Coalition for Arena Justice, organized by Rev. Clinton Miller of Brown Memorial Baptist Church, wants something more structural: stronger oversight for the project, with a role for representatives of local elected officials and local stakeholders. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has not indicated such a willingness, but, as noted in the flier at bottom, there are significant contrasts between promises and results, the latter permitted by gently-written state contracts.
Click through for much more coverage, including video.
Related coverage...
Carroll Gardens Patch, Brooklyn Clergy Turn Against Barclays Center Developer
After nine years of largely holding their peace—and praying for promised affordable housing and jobs—several Brooklyn clergy members forcefully spoke out against Atlantic Yards developer Bruce Ratner at a planned rally Sunday in Fort Greene.
"Enough is enough," said Rev. Clinton Miller, pastor of Brown Memorial Baptist Church in Clinton Hill, to a cheering group of around 80 protesters in front of the Atlantic Terrace housing complex. "We've waited to see what happened."
Miller led a group of religious leaders in announcing the formation of a faith-based Committee For Arena Justice made up of 25 Brooklyn congregations calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to hold Ratner to promises made to the community regarding affordable housing and jobs.
"We the people of Brooklyn have been sold a bad bill of goods," Miller said.
Brownstoner, Churches Rally for Jobs and Housing at Atlantic Yards
Posted by eric at June 11, 2012 12:05 PM