The Great Brooklyn Bait-and-Switch

No one should be surprised that at Brooklyn’s Atlantic Yards site, nothing is, or ever will be, as promised, writes columnist Roberta Brades Gratz.

1 minute read

October 6, 2012, 9:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

A promising project promised by developer Forest City Ratner for the Brooklyn's Atlantic Yards site was intended all along as a "bait-and-switch", representing the "worst in city-building", charges Roberta Brandes Gratz.

The developer committed to 16 residential towers designed by Frank Gehry, surrounding an arena and parks; 10,000 jobs; and 2,250 units of affordable housing in 10 years.

"But the real point in all of this – if you can look past the broken promises, excessive use of public funds and a process in which this huge development was never approved by an elected government body -- is that it uses a failed and destructive approach to urban change. Much more is lost than is gained, including the opportunity to do it right with minimum damage", writes Gratz.

FULL STORY: The Great Brooklyn Bait-and-Switch

Friday, October 5, 2012 in The Citistates Group

Community / Economic Development Housing Urban Development New York Eminent Domain Redevelopment Brooklyn Atlantic Yards Forest City Rather View More

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