The Price of Bertha Lewis' Silence

I have to agree with Shahn- about the AY project- I think something should be built there but not Ratner's project. It's a nightmare. I also believe Ratner's proposal will be changed enough as it goes along so that there will not be "affordable" housing built there. I think his project as it stands now is disastrous for the area- not simply because of its size, or design, but because I think it drastically changes the area in terms of traffic and services as well. As has been documented, there seem to be no plans for improving transportation and subway services. The design will close off a huge chunk of Pacific St.- in a project of that size how do you think Fire Trucks and emergency ambulances will be able to respond in the area, let alone to these projects? I also think it will create an enormous city within a city, closed off from the surrounding neighborhoods. It will cut off access between neighborhoods both physically and psychologically. And it will cause huge traffic jams in all surrounding neighborhoods.

I am also very much against declaring eminent domain for this. Ratner will get huge benefits, mostly on taxpayer's dimes. This is not a neighborhood project, this is the creation of a whole neighborhood in itself,open only to those at a certain financial level. Bertha Lewis notwithstanding- do you really think people will buy luxury housing in the same projects as low income housing? Rich people buy places to cocoon themselves and "protect" themselves. They not only buy their housing, but their environment. Ratner has been playing everyone against each other. I believe Ms. Lewis was trying to do the right thing but there's that little line in the agreement about building affordable housing off-site. I would be very surprised if they didn't use that to build low-income and affordable housing elsewhere, whenever and wherever they get around to it. Probably after they finish the Atlantic Yards- years from now. It certainly won't be a priority.

Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at March 9, 2006 1:32 PM

By the way, to the poster who doesn't like Patty Hagan and Dan Goldstein. The real issue is the misuse of eminent domain- one that every homeowner should be concerned about. If it's ok to take someone's house to give to a private developer,no one's property will be safe. And that's a fact.

Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at March 9, 2006 1:36 PM

So anonymous 3:21, you do see Ratner's broken promises. Originally, by the way that rooftop park was supposed to be a street level public park. Don't forget that a lot of the land going into his project (Pacific St. specifically for one) is public property, and a major street.

Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at March 9, 2006 3:53 PM

David- I am well aware of the huge tax write-offs and I have yet to see a project where luxury housing and lower-to- mid income and Section 8's are in the same complex or building.The business district in downtown Brooklyn was always viable and Metrotech was not what set off a real estate boom in that area. That began happening in the 70's and 80's as Wall Streeters and lawyers realized how convenient the area was- every subway in life goes to downtown Brooklyn, the general area had been stable and desirable because of its landmark status.The courts, A&S and Gage& Tollner were there. I lived there throughout all of it and Metrotech was part of it, but no catalyst. Metrotech is self-contained and set off from the main business area. It has almost no retail stores except for places to eat.So it doesn't attract many from the community. In addition now, since 9-11 because FDNY headquarters is there, there is much more security for Metrotech, some of which is accomplished by closing off streets and being asked for id before you can go into certain common areas.

Brownbomber- sure in an ideal world that will work. First you're assuming that A. apartments will actually be set aside and B. They will actually be affordable. Since they define moderate income as around $100,000 I am awaiting what they call low income (75,000?) And as has been pointed out, the average income in Bklyn is 35,000. As far as Ratner's courage and risk, there's an awful lot of taxpayer money and tax breaks going his way so I hardly give him points for that. That hardly defines capitalism if you get taxpayers to pay you to make money for yourself. Its called greed. And it is irresponsible. There is not going to be a mix of anything unless you can afford choices limited to stores like Tiffany's. How about the rest of us who are lower or middle income, have worked hard for years and paid our taxes? How about neighborhoods that health care workers, waiters, office managers, secretaries etc. can afford to live in? They are being shoved out of the City- so who's going to be here to take your plate in that fancy restaurant you eat in? And as for equating Ratner's use of eminent domain with its original intent for public works- there is a huge difference and everyone knows it. Gentrification is a form of displacement that happens naturally over time and is a far cry from what you advocate. In fact I would bet if your property was going to be taken over by Ratner you'd be screaming loudest. Then tell me how you don't care how much he makes or how strategic it is. There is nothing wrong with building in the Atlantic Yards, and it will be good in the long run- but it didn't have to be done like this- it should have been much more community oriented in terms of scale and intent.

Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at March 9, 2006 6:04 PM

First of all, business success is not rated simply whether or not a national Wall St. firm or law firm was here. If that were the case then the rest of NYC would cave in. As it was, there were plenty of law firms there- again because of the courts. Fulton Street was always busy- it may not have been your or brownbomber's idea of successful, but plenty of businesses did fine. SOme didn't- true everywhere. It's interesting that you say Metrotech wasn't designed to provide lunch spots, but on the other hand claim it sparked a veritable rennaissance in the area. Having lived in downtown Bklyn since 1976 I know different. Whatever the reason Ratner built Metrotech, it came after people realized what a great area it was. When I say Wall Streeters I am referring to people who worked in Lower Manhattan, not the companies themselves. I don't argue that Metrotech was an improvement, but like Ratner's other projects, it is unwelcoming in terms of the community. And since these projects do have a profound impact on the communities around them, good integrative planning would have been desirable.

As far as moderate income- that was not my definition but the definition the project is using to define moderate income levels. Yes we want diverse communities but do I think Ratner is going to create it- nope. He wants to build an arena and everything else is simply to make that successful. If he really wants to create a diverse community why include the wording "off-site" for lower income or affordable housing? He gave himself an out to keep the Atlantic Yards as luxury housing. At the same time he basically suckered a bunch of community groups into signing off on the project by making promises that most likely he will keep- just not in quite the way he implied he would. Bait and switch all the way. I have news for you- I believe in a free marketplace, and capitalism. The Horatio Alger story and all that- but I hardly think the way development is done in this city today is that- today it's all about who you know and who you can get to pay for what you want. SMall businesses and community residents get steamrollered all the time- and not necessarily because of market demand. It's because Ratner can grab your property because he has powerful friends. Does that sound like a free and open marketplace to you? Doesn't to me.

Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at March 9, 2006 11:47 PM

How many times does someone have to say that they do not oppose development in AY- just not the way this one is being done? Does anyone read anymore? People aren't asking to put an end to development- just to change the way its being done. Even Marty Markowitz was appalled by the size of AY- and he was a supporter from the beginning. And does no one remember that the arena came first but Ratner knew he would have a really hard time getting a go-ahead for just that, so he added all the other things to make it more palatable? Not to mention that all the rest enabled him to get tax breaks, etc. that he needs to even get it off the ground. I doubt that the arena will be far from a money-maker for several years at least- the Nets are not exactly the best. In fact I would say that most Brooklynites really don't give a good g--d-m about if the Nets are a Brooklyn team or not. Ask people what their priorities are- the Nets will be so far down on the list you won't even find it. It's a vanity project for Ratner (remember- he bought a team and now he has to house it?)

And insofar as projecting that the majority of people will take public transportation to the arena? I had a good laugh over that one. The Bklyn subway system is hardly a dense network of track. It isn't easy to get around- especially if you have to take the train and then a bus (or vice versa). The people who will fill the bleachers won't takes cabs because it will be expensive (not to mention think how many cabs will be on the road if there is a game- may as well drive your own car if you have to sit in traffic). There has been no provision made for the influx of people they expect for an arena event. Ratner is not going to pay to upgrade infrastructure. S--t! He already got a huge break from the MTA over air rights- so you can bet they won't be doing much either. Tailgate parties? One of the things fans love and brings them to games? Not here. Ratner will be lucky if he can fill a third of the house with the Nets because they ain't that hot.

You would think with a project of that size and importance people would want it done right. It has the potential to do something really creative and beneficial to everyone (not just politicians, team owners and construction contractors) or become another overwrought, too big project that in 20 years people will want to knock down. Do it right and make it right.

Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at March 10, 2006 2:53 PM

I don't know- it seems most of us are in agreement about developing the Atlantic Yards. We differ on the details though.

Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at March 10, 2006 3:55 PM

Hardly dumb and not a driver. And while it may be convenient for those closer in to Atlantic Ave, did you ever look at a subway map? Do you think only people in this area will fill that place? I think not. Where they converge is not the problem- it's where they don't. But then I have always found people who can't disagree civilly are usually those without the smarts to frame a good argument.

And while David I stand corrected (although I actually do know that bleachers are in ball parks I couldn't figure out what to call the cheap seats in the arena. And yes I know that tailgate parties are for football, but I have been told that in other places people do the same thing for other sports in the parking lot of an arena.

As for thinking a project is good- thanks anon 4:39-Lincoln Center for one. I also think (from personal experience) TwelveTrees tries harder to work with the community and I have liked what they have done. But I don't have to justify myself to anyone. I believe in responsible development- not private development fostered by ego, taxpayers money and eminent domain. If you don't want to believe me that's your ill-informed perogative. You may think it's ok for a private developer to run roughshod over the community, but considering how AY will impact them,and the fact that tax breaks and incentives go to them, big developers should be made more responsible.Because when they're done and go off to their big fancy suburban estates, it's the community that's left to deal. Big is not necessarily better but I have come to the conclusion that these big developers seem to equate the size of their projects with the size of their ______(fill in the blanks). It isn't about captialism- it's about greed- pure and simple. So when they come to take your house by declaring eminent domain I guess you'll just up and say- Of course I'll be happy to give up MY house for the greater good of having this (mall, arena, swimming pool....) here. Right- I just bet you would. Is anyone so naive to think that Ratner only has Brooklyn's best interests at heart? I have a bridge I can sell you.

Posted by: Bx2Bklyn at March 10, 2006 5:38 PM