The Empire State Development Corporation’s public hearings on the Modified General Project Plan (MGPP) for the proposed Atlantic Yards project drew a wide array of members from various community organizations and neighborhood residents to put in their opinions.
The $4 billion, 22−acre project starting at the Atlantic⁄Flatbush Avenues intersection proposed by developer Forest City Ratner (FCR) includes an arena to house the NBA’s Nets franchise and at least one mixed−income residential building in the first phase.
The meeting was held at City Technical College, 285 Jay Street.
According to the MGPP, the project will ultimately include 16 high−rise buildings to accommodate “between 5,325 to 6,430 affordable and market−rate housing units, with 2,250 rental units being affordable to low−, moderate−, and middle−income families, while providing class A commercial office space.”
Once again, as has been the case in almost every hearing regarding the project since it was announced in 2003, supporters of the project far outnumbered opponents, and amid all of the applause and ridicule, guest speakers stood up to let their opinions be heard.
Alan Rosen, the third−generation owner of Junior’s Restaurant, supported the project, saying it will bring more entertainment events and more money to the local businesses that are already in place.
Community activist Albert C. Wiltshire also supported the project. “Atlantic Yards represents enormous job growth for the 10th district,” said Wiltshire. “We cannot let this opportunity pass us by.”
“We are not asking for a handout, we’re just asking for an opportunity,” said Kareiff McDuffy, a neighborhood resident.
Community organizer Anthony Herbert said the issue “isn’t about the stadium, it’s about jobs.”
Laurie Waldron, a former member of ACORN, supported the urban renewal plans that come with the project.
“There is simply not enough housing in Brooklyn and we need more affordable housing,” said Waldron. “We want housing and we want jobs. It’s simply a no−brainer.”
Even Mill Basin Assemblymember Alan Maisel came out to show his support of the development project.
On the opponent side, Raul Rothblatt from the block association representing Prospect Heights and Underhill claimed that there was no account of the number of subsidies that will create jobs.
“The ESDC will not answer our questions,” declared Rothblatt.
Park Slope City Council candidate Bob Zuckerman called the project “destructive to the character of the surrounding neighborhoods.”
Prospect Heights author and journalist Michael Rogers called the development “a mechanism for supporting wealthy developers.”
During the meeting, protesters erupted in opposition against the project, eventually being escorted off the premises by police.
Many complaints stemmed from how the ESDC is allegedly withholding the development plans. One speaker called for the full release of project documentation by the ESDC.
The ESDC is expected to approve the plan in about 30 days, and FCR Executive Vice President Bruce Bender said the developer expects to break ground before the end of the year.
The MGPP as well as other information on the project is available by visiting www.empire.state.ny.us⁄Atlanticyards.
