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Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park infographics: what's built/what's coming/what's missing, who's responsible, + project FAQ/timeline (pinned post)

Mayoral candidate Thompson tepid on Atlantic Yards: "I plan to sit down to talk and evaluate"

Comptroller Bill Thompson is the current front-runner (in fundraising, at least) among Democratic candidates for mayor but of course has an uphill battle in his effort to unseat Mayor Mike Bloomberg's effort to get a third term, made possible by the overturning and extension of term limits.

While Thompson has hammered away on term limits, he's not exactly challenging Bloomberg on Atlantic Yards.

From an interview with Democratic mayoral candidate , by Louise Crawford of Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn:

Atlantic Yards?

" I did initially support it. I have real concerns now. I will continue to re-evaluate it, meet with individuals, have a conversation. I plan to sit down to talk and evaluate," he said.

[Crawford's] reaction: You lived in Prospect Heights and initially supported the Atlantic Yards???? Yikes. And why aren't you more outraged now? Many Brooklyn Democrats are.


My reaction: Thompson has had ample time to evaluate. In May 2008, he was pretty vague about AY. 

For example, Thompson is supposed to be a watchdog over city funds, and it was Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) appointees of Mayor Mike Bloomberg who led the defense of the MTA's sweetheart deal last month with Forest City Ratner. Thompson said nothing.

Expect long-shot candidates Democrat Tony Avella and the Green Party's Reverend Billy Talen to make a lot more noise about AY.

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