Advocacy
Since its launch in September of 2006, the BrooklynSpeaks initiative has sought to provide the people of Brooklyn and thier elected representatives a platform from which to demand change to and accountability from the Atlantic Yards project, helping to promote development at the site that works for Brooklyn and New York City.
More information about BrooklynSpeaks' advocacy efforts can be found in the stories that appear below.
BrooklynSpeaks sponsors file response to ESDC and FCRC appeal of court order to revisit 2009 modified project plan
Submitted by brooklynspeaks on January 13, 2012 - 5:35pm
Related Terms :
BROOKLYN, January 14, 2012: On Friday, January 13, BrooklynSpeaks sponsors filed legal documents in response to an appeal by the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) and Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC) of a July 2011 court decision ordering further environmental review of the Atlantic Yards project. The decision came after nearly two years of litigation by BrooklynSpeaks’ sponsors, local elected officials and community members, which challenged ESDC’s 2009 approval of changes to the General Project Plan which increased the duration of project construction from 10 to 25 years. The brief was filed in conjunction with Develop Don’t Destroy (Brooklyn), petitioners in a similar case covered by the July decision.
“ESDC and FCRC have, in effect, asked the court to believe that when the agency approved increasing the construction duration from 10 to 25 years, it didn’t expect the developer would actually use the extra time,” said Gib Veconi of the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council, a petitioner in the case. “The lower court didn’t buy that, and we don’t think the appellate court will, either.”
Ratner: Affordable housing won’t work for Atlantic Yards
Submitted by brooklynspeaks on November 18, 2011 - 4:41pm
Related Terms :
The latest bombshell to drop at the Atlantic Yards project came yesterday with the release of renderings of its first planned residential tower. As reported today by the Wall Street Journal,
Mr. Ratner said Thursday that the existing incentives for developments where half the units are priced for middle- and low-income tenants "don't work for a high-rise building that's union built."
He added that he had "accepted the fact that we're not going to get more subsidy."
What ESDC must do now to make Atlantic Yards work for Brooklyn
Submitted by brooklynspeaks on September 26, 2011 - 8:59pm
Related Terms :
Construction of the Barclays Center arena is moving ahead, but the completion of Phase I and all of Phase II of the Atlantic Yards project risks being significantly delayed. Sadly, the promises of jobs, economic vitality for the area, income for the City of New York, affordable housing, and open space all seem unlikely to be realized for decades, if not generations.
BrooklynSpeaks and Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn want successful development of the Atlantic Yards site. We want what the State and City want: the economic development, the jobs, and the public benefits that a healthy development can provide—not in the 25 years now understood by all as being likely, but within the next few years as needed.
Empire State Development Corporation and Forest City Ratner to fight court order to revisit 2009 Atlantic Yards Plan
Submitted by brooklynspeaks on September 13, 2011 - 8:02am
Related Terms :
BROOKLYN, September 13, 2011: Today, BrooklynSpeaks announced that the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) and Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC) have served notice that the two plan to fight a July court decision ordering further environmental review of the Atlantic Yards project.
Local groups victorious as judge slams Empire State Development Corporation for breaking the law by approving 2009 Modified Plan
Submitted by pkrashes on July 13, 2011 - 2:54pm
Related Terms :
Today, New York State Supreme Court Justice Marcy Friedman ruled that the New York State Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) acted illegally in 2009 when it approved changes to the Atlantic Yards project that increased from ten years to twenty-five years the amount of time allowed to developer Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC) to complete the project without first studying the impacts of prolonged construction to the surrounding communities.
Forest City Ratner lobbies unsuccessfully against reform of Atlantic Yards oversight
Submitted by brooklynspeaks on July 9, 2011 - 1:18pm
Related Terms :
As Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries bill to reform oversight of the Atlantic Yards project was on its way to the floor of the New York State Assembly, developer Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC) lobbied legislators to vote against the bill by, among other things, circulating a “Memorandum in Opposition.”
Judge rules ESDC misinformed the public and the court, but broke no law
Submitted by brooklynspeaks on July 9, 2011 - 11:54am
Related Terms :
Today, New York State Supreme Court Justice Marcy Friedman strongly criticized the New York State Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) for ________________ in 2009 when it approved changes to the Atlantic Yards project. The changes approved increased the amount of time allowed to developer Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC) to complete the project from ten years to twenty-five years without first studying the impacts of prolonged construction to the surrounding communities.
ESDC broke the law in approving Atlantic Yards' 2009 Modified General Project Plan
Submitted by brooklynspeaks on July 9, 2011 - 11:51am
Related Terms :
Today, New York State Supreme Court Justice Marcy Friedman ruled that the New York State Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) acted illegally in 2009 when it approved changes to the Atlantic Yards project that increased from ten years to twenty-five years the amount of time allowed to developer Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC) to complete the project without first studying the impacts of prolonged construction to the surrounding communities.
A private developer's traffic plan won't work for Brooklyn
Submitted by brooklynspeaks on June 14, 2011 - 12:15pm
Related Terms :
This evening at Brooklyn Borough Hall, a consultant hired by Forest City Ratner will present a plan to implement significant alterations to the streets surrounding the Atlantic Yards project in order to manage congestion at the intersection of Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues expected when the Barclays Center arena opens. The elements of the plan are taken from a five-year old environmental study which was also paid for by the Atlantic Yards developer, and which has not been updated to reflect changes to the roadway network over the intervening years. Whether Forest City’s plan will be an effective solution for the worst traffic intersection in Brooklyn remains to be seen, but there is no question it falls far short of what is required to handle the tidal wave of traffic—and stampedes of pedestrians—that its arena will generate. It is certainly not a substitute for the comprehensive transportation plan the City and State owe the people of Brooklyn.
Tell Albany leaders: Reform Atlantic Yards now!
Submitted by brooklynspeaks on June 13, 2011 - 12:50pm
Related Terms :
On Saturday, June 11, community members, civic organizations and elected officials came together to hear about how legislation now before the State Assembly and Senate can help make Atlantic Yards accountable to the public. Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries explained how, against the lobbying efforts of developer Forest City Ratner, a bill to require the Empire State Development Corporation to form a subsidiary for Atlantic Yards oversight has cleared two key Assembly committees, and is one step away from going to the floor. But as State Senator Velmanette Montgomery warned, it’s critical that New Yorkers make their voices heard because “we are dealing with an environment where money trumps almost everything. It is only the voters who are going to be able to match the leverage."
If you weren’t able to join us on Saturday and sign a letter to the State legislative leadership, please take a minute to email each of them now by clicking the links below. It just takes a minute, and your voice will make a big difference!
(Photo: Tracy Collins)
