Showing posts with label DDDB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DDDB. Show all posts
Monday, September 24, 2012
ATTENTION: CM James, DDDB Discuss AY/ Barclay's on ABC 7
Council Member Letitia James and Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn's Candace Carponter speak with ABC 7's Diana Williams on Atlantic Yard/ Barclay's Center development.
Link: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=8821316
Friday, April 13, 2012
CM James Comments On Appellate Courts Findings Regarding Atlantic Yards Project, Phase II
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
April 12, 2012
Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis at (212) 788-7081
Council Member Letitia James Comments On Appellate Courts Findings Regarding Atlantic Yards Project, Phase II
(New York, NY)— On April 12, 2012, a New York State Appellate Court found— in a unanimous decision— that the state must conduct a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) regarding the second phase of the 2009 Atlantic Yards plan, as well as re-approve the second phase of the project. The case, Matter of Develop Don't Destroy (Brooklyn), Inc. vs. Empire State Dev. Corp., was led by Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn and Brooklyn Speaks. Today's finding upheld a lower court's decision to require the Empire State Development Corp. (ESDC) to conduct an SEIS.
The goal of an SEIS is to examine new or additional environmental impacts related to development, furthering the findings in the initial Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Through re-evaluating Phase II of the Atlantic Yards project, significant impacts will likely be found. The court’s findings state that the ESDC failed to consider changes in the project schedule, which would almost certainly place development beyond the 10-year construction estimate. Furthermore, the court found that developer Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC) “failed to show that [they] had the financial ability to complete the project in 10 years.”
“It seems clear to me that if the facts regarding the impact of the development had been accurately presented two years ago, the resulting decision would’ve halted construction,” said Council Member Letitia James. “We can be almost certain at this point that the jobs and affordable housing originally promised will not come to fruition anytime soon, and instead Prospect Heights and surrounding residents will have to live with vacant lots and construction for years to come.”
The ESDC waited nine months to take action after the findings of the lower court, during which time issues related to impacts of the surface parking lot (planned for Block 1129) could have been addressed in an SEIS. FCRC has yet to release a plan for the lot.
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April 12, 2012
Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis at (212) 788-7081
Council Member Letitia James Comments On Appellate Courts Findings Regarding Atlantic Yards Project, Phase II
(New York, NY)— On April 12, 2012, a New York State Appellate Court found— in a unanimous decision— that the state must conduct a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) regarding the second phase of the 2009 Atlantic Yards plan, as well as re-approve the second phase of the project. The case, Matter of Develop Don't Destroy (Brooklyn), Inc. vs. Empire State Dev. Corp., was led by Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn and Brooklyn Speaks. Today's finding upheld a lower court's decision to require the Empire State Development Corp. (ESDC) to conduct an SEIS.
The goal of an SEIS is to examine new or additional environmental impacts related to development, furthering the findings in the initial Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Through re-evaluating Phase II of the Atlantic Yards project, significant impacts will likely be found. The court’s findings state that the ESDC failed to consider changes in the project schedule, which would almost certainly place development beyond the 10-year construction estimate. Furthermore, the court found that developer Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC) “failed to show that [they] had the financial ability to complete the project in 10 years.”
“It seems clear to me that if the facts regarding the impact of the development had been accurately presented two years ago, the resulting decision would’ve halted construction,” said Council Member Letitia James. “We can be almost certain at this point that the jobs and affordable housing originally promised will not come to fruition anytime soon, and instead Prospect Heights and surrounding residents will have to live with vacant lots and construction for years to come.”
The ESDC waited nine months to take action after the findings of the lower court, during which time issues related to impacts of the surface parking lot (planned for Block 1129) could have been addressed in an SEIS. FCRC has yet to release a plan for the lot.
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011
ATTENTION: Additional Screenings of Battle for Brooklyn; Documentary In Oscar Running
If you have not yet seen the much. talked. about. Battle for Brooklyn, now is your time to do so. The documentary, co-directed by Suki Hawley and Michael Galinsky and produced by David Beilinson, chronicles the seven-year long fight between the Prospect Heights community and one of the largest real estate developers in the country. It features Council Member Letitia James as well as activist Daniel Goldstein and Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn.
Upcoming Screenings:
Maysles Center, 343 Lenox Avenue (between 127 & 128 Streets), New York, NY
Dec 1, 7:30pm: Q&A with filmmakers
Dec 6, 7:30pm: Q&A with Mindy Fullilove and local community
Dec 9, 7:30pm: Q&A with Dan Goldstien
Brooklyn Heights, 70 Henry Street, Brooklyn, NY
Nov 23, 6:00pm
Nov 30, 6:00pm
Indie Screen, Williamsburg, 285 Kent Avenue at S. 2 Street, Brooklyn, NY
Nov 27, 5:00pm
The Academy recently announced that Battle for Brooklyn is one of 15 films listed for an Oscar in the Documentary Feature category. The five final nominees will be announced in January 2012.
Upcoming Screenings:
Maysles Center, 343 Lenox Avenue (between 127 & 128 Streets), New York, NY
Dec 1, 7:30pm: Q&A with filmmakers
Dec 6, 7:30pm: Q&A with Mindy Fullilove and local community
Dec 9, 7:30pm: Q&A with Dan Goldstien
Brooklyn Heights, 70 Henry Street, Brooklyn, NY
Nov 23, 6:00pm
Nov 30, 6:00pm
Indie Screen, Williamsburg, 285 Kent Avenue at S. 2 Street, Brooklyn, NY
Nov 27, 5:00pm
The Academy recently announced that Battle for Brooklyn is one of 15 films listed for an Oscar in the Documentary Feature category. The five final nominees will be announced in January 2012.
Friday, September 16, 2011
CM James Comments on ESDC & FCR Appeal Of Court Decision On Ordering Additional Environmental Review Of AY Project
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
September 15, 2011
Contact: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191
COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES COMMENTS ON EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND FOREST CITY RATNER COMPANIES’ APPEAL OF COURT DECISION ORDERING ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF ATLANTIC YARDS PROJECT
(Brooklyn, NY)— “The drawn out Atlantic Yards project in Prospect Heights has anguished local affordable housing advocates, and become a hardship to businesses, residents, pedestrians and drivers. Residents in the area remember when community voices first rose together against the corporate will of Bruce Ratner’s Atlantic Yards. This project from its inception has posed a series of threats to the community.
As time moves forward, the mounting distance of Ratner’s promises becomes more apparent with this project. Ratner is not delivering on the 2,250 affordable housing units he promised, and Ratner has not fulfilled his promise of 17,000 jobs for the community. Simply put, ESDC and FCRC have not delivered much to the community, and continue to do an injustice to central and downtown Brooklyn residents by disregarding their voices. Will any of the affordable housing and jobs expectations - promises that Ratner originally proposed ever come to pass?
Now, advocates for affordable housing around the Atlantic Yards site will just have to wait; this appears to be the message sent by the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) and Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC) at this time. Surprisingly, they will fight a court decision made last July that ordered additional environmental review of the Atlantic Yards project (a ruling that came after two years of litigation, which protested ESDC's plans to increase the length of the projection construction from 10 years to 25 years).
In filing the appeal, the ESDC will now have no obligation to obey the court order voiding New York State Supreme Court Judge Marcy Friedman’s direction to slow down/stop construction until the state agency conducts a new phase of environmental review of the project, including a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS); as well as a determination on whether to approve the MGPP for Phase II of the project, which constitutes the bulk of the project.
This potentially means that FCRC is able to continue building the arena until the appeals court hears the case - which could take a year or longer. Again, the community’s wishes are simply not considered by the ESDC and FCRC, who see no problem to burden the community with 25 years of construction. FCRC and ESDC are showing once again their commitment to using corporate power to block the community.
An environmental review of the project provides checks and balances, and is a process to protect community. It is obvious that the ESDC and FCRC do not want to spend time and money on a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement because they know other issues might come up that would need to be negotiated. Fighting the court decision ordering additional environmental review of the Atlantic Yards project is yet another stalling tactic by FCRC and ESDC that undermines the protection of the community provided by the New York State Supreme Court. Also, the community continues to wait for Governor Cuomo to follow through on his promises to reform State government, and make the Atlantic Yards project a benefit for Brooklyn.”
###
September 15, 2011
Contact: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191
COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES COMMENTS ON EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND FOREST CITY RATNER COMPANIES’ APPEAL OF COURT DECISION ORDERING ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF ATLANTIC YARDS PROJECT
(Brooklyn, NY)— “The drawn out Atlantic Yards project in Prospect Heights has anguished local affordable housing advocates, and become a hardship to businesses, residents, pedestrians and drivers. Residents in the area remember when community voices first rose together against the corporate will of Bruce Ratner’s Atlantic Yards. This project from its inception has posed a series of threats to the community.
As time moves forward, the mounting distance of Ratner’s promises becomes more apparent with this project. Ratner is not delivering on the 2,250 affordable housing units he promised, and Ratner has not fulfilled his promise of 17,000 jobs for the community. Simply put, ESDC and FCRC have not delivered much to the community, and continue to do an injustice to central and downtown Brooklyn residents by disregarding their voices. Will any of the affordable housing and jobs expectations - promises that Ratner originally proposed ever come to pass?
Now, advocates for affordable housing around the Atlantic Yards site will just have to wait; this appears to be the message sent by the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) and Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC) at this time. Surprisingly, they will fight a court decision made last July that ordered additional environmental review of the Atlantic Yards project (a ruling that came after two years of litigation, which protested ESDC's plans to increase the length of the projection construction from 10 years to 25 years).
In filing the appeal, the ESDC will now have no obligation to obey the court order voiding New York State Supreme Court Judge Marcy Friedman’s direction to slow down/stop construction until the state agency conducts a new phase of environmental review of the project, including a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS); as well as a determination on whether to approve the MGPP for Phase II of the project, which constitutes the bulk of the project.
This potentially means that FCRC is able to continue building the arena until the appeals court hears the case - which could take a year or longer. Again, the community’s wishes are simply not considered by the ESDC and FCRC, who see no problem to burden the community with 25 years of construction. FCRC and ESDC are showing once again their commitment to using corporate power to block the community.
An environmental review of the project provides checks and balances, and is a process to protect community. It is obvious that the ESDC and FCRC do not want to spend time and money on a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement because they know other issues might come up that would need to be negotiated. Fighting the court decision ordering additional environmental review of the Atlantic Yards project is yet another stalling tactic by FCRC and ESDC that undermines the protection of the community provided by the New York State Supreme Court. Also, the community continues to wait for Governor Cuomo to follow through on his promises to reform State government, and make the Atlantic Yards project a benefit for Brooklyn.”
###
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
CM James Congratulates DDDB and Community on Ruling Against Atlantic Yards Development
**For Immediate Release**
November 9, 2010
Contact: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191
Victory At Last!
Congratulations to DDDB and Community on Ruling Against Atlantic Yards Development
State Supreme Court Justice Marcy S. Friedman issued a ruling today granting the motion by Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB), and other petitioners. The judge sided with DDDB and associated neighborhood groups stating that the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) did not properly consider the full 25-year schedule of the Atlantic Yards development project. The judge sent the case back to ESDC requiring a detailed, reasoned basis for its findings and support.
Justice Friedman criticized ESDC for the lack of transparency in its approval of Bruce Ratner’s Atlantic Yards project, highlighting that the environmental review process is meant to be an open process involving the public, as well as other interested agencies.
“The Court properly found that ESDC misrepresented the facts of the contracts and there were no requirements that FCRC complete the project,” said DDDB lead counsel Jeffrey S. Baker of the Albany, New York law firm of Young, Sommer, Ward, Ritzenberg, Baker & Moore, LLC. “ESDC’s lack of transparency was not just with respect to its own deliberations, but extended to trying to hide material facts from the Court. We are very pleased that Justice Friedman did not tolerate that behavior.”
Council Member Letitia James said: “It’s time that Forest City Ratner Corporation sit down with the community and incorporate aspects of the UNITY plan into his project, which focuses on affordable housing and buildings that compliment the community. Unfortunately, the taking of homes and businesses by eminent domain in absence of proper findings has already happened. I hold my ground and continue my objection to this entire development, the process, the land grabbing, and the waste of public funds. In light of Justice Friedman’s ruling, it’s critical that Governor Elect Andrew Cuomo examine the overall plan for the Atlantic Yards project, and meet with the community. Lastly, congratulations to DDDB, Prospect Height Neighborhood Development Council, and the community for their perseverance and victory.”
November 9, 2010
Contact: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191
Victory At Last!
Congratulations to DDDB and Community on Ruling Against Atlantic Yards Development
State Supreme Court Justice Marcy S. Friedman issued a ruling today granting the motion by Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB), and other petitioners. The judge sided with DDDB and associated neighborhood groups stating that the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) did not properly consider the full 25-year schedule of the Atlantic Yards development project. The judge sent the case back to ESDC requiring a detailed, reasoned basis for its findings and support.
Justice Friedman criticized ESDC for the lack of transparency in its approval of Bruce Ratner’s Atlantic Yards project, highlighting that the environmental review process is meant to be an open process involving the public, as well as other interested agencies.
“The Court properly found that ESDC misrepresented the facts of the contracts and there were no requirements that FCRC complete the project,” said DDDB lead counsel Jeffrey S. Baker of the Albany, New York law firm of Young, Sommer, Ward, Ritzenberg, Baker & Moore, LLC. “ESDC’s lack of transparency was not just with respect to its own deliberations, but extended to trying to hide material facts from the Court. We are very pleased that Justice Friedman did not tolerate that behavior.”
Council Member Letitia James said: “It’s time that Forest City Ratner Corporation sit down with the community and incorporate aspects of the UNITY plan into his project, which focuses on affordable housing and buildings that compliment the community. Unfortunately, the taking of homes and businesses by eminent domain in absence of proper findings has already happened. I hold my ground and continue my objection to this entire development, the process, the land grabbing, and the waste of public funds. In light of Justice Friedman’s ruling, it’s critical that Governor Elect Andrew Cuomo examine the overall plan for the Atlantic Yards project, and meet with the community. Lastly, congratulations to DDDB, Prospect Height Neighborhood Development Council, and the community for their perseverance and victory.”
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Team Tish: Some Recent Photos
It's been a long time since we did a recent pictures post, so here we go. Let's join Council Member James on some wild-ish adventures throughout the 35th:
CM Diana Reyna and Comptroller Bill Thompson stand behind real rent stabilization.
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*
*
*
CM James joins seniors in August 2009 to discuss changes within the NYC Department for the Aging.
____________________________________________________
CM James is joined by Comptroller Bill Thompson and CM David Weprin at a rally to protest unfair rent increases on October 1, 2009 at City Hall.
CM Diana Reyna and Comptroller Bill Thompson stand behind real rent stabilization.
____________________________________________________
*CM James is joined by Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB) and (Brooklyn's own) actor John Turturro at DDDB's "Walk Don't Destroy" Fundraiser on October 17, 2009.
*
*
We don't even know...but it's cool.
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CM James and Nancy Romer of the Brooklyn Food Coalition work a table at October 24, 2009's Fort Greene Food Conference.
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CM James joins tenants and activists on October 29, 2009 to speak out against conditions at Dermot properties, and lack of affordable housing throughout the district.
*Photo courtesy of Stefano Giovannini
Friday, October 9, 2009
ATTENTION: DDDB Hosts BK Walkathon To Support AY Legal Battle
DEVELOP DON’T DESTROY BROOKLYN WALKATHON
On October 17th, a walkathon will be taking place to stop the Atlantic Yards project, end eminent domain abuse, massive over-development, and the destruction of the Brooklyn we know and love.
The Walkathon will feature hundreds of walkers and start at Borough Hall and finish with a community party in Fort Greene's Habana Outpost.
For more information or to sign up for the walk or to sponsor a walker visit:
http://dddb.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=323520
All money raised will go towards Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn’s legal battle against the Atlantic Yards Project.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
REMINDER: Atlantic Yards Protest; NYC Tech; 7/29; 1PM
As we've posted before, please consider attending tomorrow's Atlantic Yards public hearing--
SAY NO TO ATLANTIC YARDS
WEDNESDAY, July 29, 2009
Start Gathering at 1pm.
Outside Klitgord Auditorium of NYC Technical College
285 Jay Street, Near Tillary
(A/C to Jay St./Borough Hall. 2/3 to Borough Hall)
The Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) is holding a public hearing on the Atlantic Yards project on July 29th.
Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB) and Council Member Letitia James urge you to join a protest against Ratner’s destructive project outside the hearing, and to come out and testify at the hearing.
More info at: http://www.dddb.net/upcoming.
SAY NO TO ATLANTIC YARDS
WEDNESDAY, July 29, 2009
Start Gathering at 1pm.
Outside Klitgord Auditorium of NYC Technical College
285 Jay Street, Near Tillary
(A/C to Jay St./Borough Hall. 2/3 to Borough Hall)
The Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) is holding a public hearing on the Atlantic Yards project on July 29th.
Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB) and Council Member Letitia James urge you to join a protest against Ratner’s destructive project outside the hearing, and to come out and testify at the hearing.
More info at: http://www.dddb.net/upcoming.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Atlantic Yards Protest; NYC Tech; 7/29; 1PM
SAY NO TO ATLANTIC YARDS
WHEN: July 29, 2009
WHERE: outside Klitgord Auditorium of NYC Technical College
285 Jay Street, near Tillary
Participants will start gathering at 1PM.
DIRECTIONS: A/C to Jay Street/Borough Hall OR 2/3 to Borough Hall
The Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) is holding a public hearing on the Atlantic Yards project on July 29th.
Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB), and Council Member Letitia James urge you to join this protest against Ratner’s destructive project outside the hearing, and to come out and testify at the hearing.
As far as we know, there will be no more public hearings on Atlantic Yards; therefore, this should be considered the community’s chance to tell ESDC and Ratner:
We Don’t Want Atlantic Yards.
We Want Development That Works for the Community, Not at the Expense of the Community
Atlantic Yards Must Be Scrapped!
Join DDDB, other community groups, residents, clergy, union members, and elected officials for the protest.
The actual hearing is scheduled from 2PM-5PM and 6PM-8PM. DDDB asks the public to sign in and testify against the project. If you are unable to come for the afternoon protest and hearing, DDDB urges you to come for the late afternoon/evening hearing.
Bring Protest Signs. Speak your mind about the project.
More info at: www.dddb.net/upcoming
WHEN: July 29, 2009
WHERE: outside Klitgord Auditorium of NYC Technical College
285 Jay Street, near Tillary
Participants will start gathering at 1PM.
DIRECTIONS: A/C to Jay Street/Borough Hall OR 2/3 to Borough Hall
The Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) is holding a public hearing on the Atlantic Yards project on July 29th.
Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB), and Council Member Letitia James urge you to join this protest against Ratner’s destructive project outside the hearing, and to come out and testify at the hearing.
As far as we know, there will be no more public hearings on Atlantic Yards; therefore, this should be considered the community’s chance to tell ESDC and Ratner:
We Don’t Want Atlantic Yards.
We Want Development That Works for the Community, Not at the Expense of the Community
Atlantic Yards Must Be Scrapped!
Join DDDB, other community groups, residents, clergy, union members, and elected officials for the protest.
The actual hearing is scheduled from 2PM-5PM and 6PM-8PM. DDDB asks the public to sign in and testify against the project. If you are unable to come for the afternoon protest and hearing, DDDB urges you to come for the late afternoon/evening hearing.
Bring Protest Signs. Speak your mind about the project.
More info at: www.dddb.net/upcoming
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Things We May Have Neglected To Mention
Expanding Food Access
We were so happy to hear about Costco accepting food stamps in Brooklyn stores. This was a way overdue policy, and we agree with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz that we need to extend food access services to under served areas of Brooklyn, especially in the interest of diminishing obesity and other food-related ailments within those communities.
Equality In Marriage
Our office has gotten contacted by constituents curious to know about Council Member James' position on gay marriage. Council Member James, like many politicians Statewide, feels that this is an issue that should be decided on a State level. Personally, she supports equality in marriage, and feels that sexual orientation and gender should not be factors in one's eligibility to enter into wedlock. Additionally, Tish was one of the first politicians to call the rapid spread of HIV/AIDs specifically among the MSM community in Central Brooklyn a "state of emergency." Recently, she joined LGBT activists in Crown Heights in opposition to police brutality against the LGBT community (following the beating of two lesbians- Jeannette Grey and Tiffany Jimenez- in Crown Heights).
On Atlantic Yards and The State Senate "coup"
Council Member James spoke at yesterday's Atlantic Yards community update at Lafayette Presbyterian Church, sponsored by Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn. You can read about what was said at The Atlantic Yards Report. She also touched on the recent NYS Senate "coup," speaking on the compromised political position Senate Democrats have been placed in.
Directly from Council Member James, on Frank Gehry's departure from the Atlantic Yards project
"The abandonment of Gehry's design indicates to me that Forest City Ratner has acknowledged that the scale of Atlantic Yard's is at the center of major flaws with the development. However, embracing a different design that scales-back the project does not address the inherent problems with the Atlantic Yards proposal or process, nor does it convince me that this wasn’t a quick attempt to gain support through a supposed “budget-conscious” design."
And on Dock Street project
“I support the Dock Street DUMBO project because it holds the promise of hundreds of new middle school seats for public school children in Downtown Brooklyn and surrounding communities. This project proposes to build a 300-seat public middle school in a privately funded, LEED-certified “green” residential building that will also create DUMBO’s first ever affordable housing. The developer plans to donate a significant portion of the cost of the school to the City as well – a financial contribution worth over $40 million– and has already reached out to the surrounding community regarding job opportunities and other economic development benefits. Dock Street DUMBO, with its donated middle school and affordable housing commitment is exactly the kind of smart, innovative public-private partnership needed for the future of our communities.”
We were so happy to hear about Costco accepting food stamps in Brooklyn stores. This was a way overdue policy, and we agree with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz that we need to extend food access services to under served areas of Brooklyn, especially in the interest of diminishing obesity and other food-related ailments within those communities.
Equality In Marriage
Our office has gotten contacted by constituents curious to know about Council Member James' position on gay marriage. Council Member James, like many politicians Statewide, feels that this is an issue that should be decided on a State level. Personally, she supports equality in marriage, and feels that sexual orientation and gender should not be factors in one's eligibility to enter into wedlock. Additionally, Tish was one of the first politicians to call the rapid spread of HIV/AIDs specifically among the MSM community in Central Brooklyn a "state of emergency." Recently, she joined LGBT activists in Crown Heights in opposition to police brutality against the LGBT community (following the beating of two lesbians- Jeannette Grey and Tiffany Jimenez- in Crown Heights).
On Atlantic Yards and The State Senate "coup"
Council Member James spoke at yesterday's Atlantic Yards community update at Lafayette Presbyterian Church, sponsored by Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn. You can read about what was said at The Atlantic Yards Report. She also touched on the recent NYS Senate "coup," speaking on the compromised political position Senate Democrats have been placed in.
Directly from Council Member James, on Frank Gehry's departure from the Atlantic Yards project
"The abandonment of Gehry's design indicates to me that Forest City Ratner has acknowledged that the scale of Atlantic Yard's is at the center of major flaws with the development. However, embracing a different design that scales-back the project does not address the inherent problems with the Atlantic Yards proposal or process, nor does it convince me that this wasn’t a quick attempt to gain support through a supposed “budget-conscious” design."
And on Dock Street project
“I support the Dock Street DUMBO project because it holds the promise of hundreds of new middle school seats for public school children in Downtown Brooklyn and surrounding communities. This project proposes to build a 300-seat public middle school in a privately funded, LEED-certified “green” residential building that will also create DUMBO’s first ever affordable housing. The developer plans to donate a significant portion of the cost of the school to the City as well – a financial contribution worth over $40 million– and has already reached out to the surrounding community regarding job opportunities and other economic development benefits. Dock Street DUMBO, with its donated middle school and affordable housing commitment is exactly the kind of smart, innovative public-private partnership needed for the future of our communities.”
Monday, June 8, 2009
Team Tish: Some Recent (...and Not So Recent) Photos
Picture time has come 'round again!
And with all the Atlantic Yards news*, we thought we'd post these pictures from around this time last year. They're from an Atlantic Yards press conference at City Hall. Just want to remind you that this fight has been going on for a long time, and that we believe a community is defined by the how to people that live there are treated. We believe in diversity- economic and racial- and we want to see ALL the residents of the 35th District reap the benefits of our every-developing neighborhoods. We hope you support fair and affordable housing development as well. Please consider attending Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn's Community Meeting on June 9th; at 85 S. Oxford Street in Fort Greene to keep abreast of Atlantic Yards issues.
**
**CMs James and Yassky are joined by Assembly Members Hakeem Jeffries and James Brennan and fair development advocates at City Hall on July 2008.
From this event:
***CMs James, Barron, and Liu rally in Bedford-Stuyvesant against cuts to MTA services, specifically the B25 bus route, on February 28th, 2009. CM Liu is the Chair of the Transportation Committee in the New York City Council.
****CMs James and Weprin are joined by Assembly Member Hakeem Jeffries, State Senator Eric Adams, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, NYS Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, and Former NYC Public Advocate Mark Green at a press conference addressing term limits on October 12, 2008.
And from this event:
CMs James and Weprin are joined by State Senator Eric Adams, members of the Crown Heights Revitalization Movement, and Crown Heights residents at City Hall to address the Brooklyn Intake Center proposal to be expanded into a Citywide shelter, and the fact that plans to create a similar Manhattan center were not included in the City budget proposal. June 7, 2009.
*FYI- We purposely try not to post too much about Atlantic Yards, being that there are so many great organizations and blogs following the issue much more closely than we can.
**Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Speaks, a civic group that informs residents about Atlantic Yards issues.
***Photo courtesy of William Alatriste.
****Photo courtesy of Patricio Barrientos, of CM David Weprin's office.
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