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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)

Weinstein building, last on Block 1129, under demolition (by Nassau County-based WBE)

The Weinstein building--the last building on Block 1129, the southeast block of the Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park site--is going down.

The yellow former carbon paper manufacturing factory at 752 Pacific Street, renovated by developer Henry Weinstein to serve as offices and once part of a redevelopment plan, was taken by eminent domain in 2010 but not immediately demolished--as Forest City swore would be the fate of all such property on Block 1129--but instead used as offices.

Had Weinstein’s building been joined by a renovated Ward Bakery, next door, Pacific Street between Carlton and Vanderbilt avenues would have comprised a nearly block-long facade of loft-style conversions, the kind Forest City Enterprises managed in Richmond, VA.

All photos by AYInfo NYC, except below right

Forest City Ratner
Brownstoner, which got photos from Forest City, said, not so accurately, "Greenland and Forest City Ratner Friday started demolishing the big old warehouse at 752 Pacific Street to make way for two apartment buildings planned for the block between Carlton and Vanderbilt Avenues" and that "the 100 percent affordable 535 Carlton Avenue and market-rate 550 Vanderbilt Avenue will both rise on this property."

Actually, the Weinstein building, which is closer to Carlton Avenue, only affects the footprint of the 535 Carlton Avenue.

But a Forest City photo, at right, shows something interest: the equipment being used by A. Russo Wrecking, a woman-owned business based in Nassau County, prominently bears a 718 area code, which the company uses along with a 516 area code.

As I wrote 8/5/10, citing a 3/19/07 post, the Atlantic Yards Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), negotiated mainly by black leaders representing (mostly new) groups in Central Brooklyn, has little connection with some of the beneficiaries. By hiring Russo, Forest City gets to report that it is fulfilling the letter of the CBA, as well as state requirements for M/WBEs (minority-/women-owned business enterprises), without necessarily fulfilling its spirit.

More photos + a 311 complaint

Note that the air monitor (bottom photo) appears to be at the northwest corner of Carlton Avenue and Pacific Street, which, according to a post on Atlantic Yards Watch, does not capture the path of the dust going to Dean Street. A 311 complaint has been filed about the demolition.



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