Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Report

At Low-Turnout Hearing, State Urged to Broaden Study Area, Increase Affordability, Consider Alternatives, Ensure Open Space ( link ) No project supporters spoke, but only one elected official attended. Online format had some bumps.

Before Tonight’s Hearing, My Article in City Limits, and Wide-Ranging Advice from BrooklynSpeaks ( link ) Might city investment in the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust support Atlantic Yards? Also, Cirrus has raised some more money.

More from Meeting: “Single Developer Structure” Questioned; Environmental Review Includes Online Hearing Sept. 24 ( link ) State officials details outreach efforts. November workshop will address project’s (reorganized if not much augmented) open space.

Though NY State Aims to Ensure Initial Phase 2 Construction, Less Incentive for Second Block ( link ) Timeline leaves “signature” open space in jeopardy. Second block would have only 29% of Phase 2 bulk, less than originally approved. Do developers really seek 1.6M more square feet overall? 

Advisory Board Rejects Request for a Financial Analysis to Justify Subsidies and Affordable Housing Configuration ( link ) Atlantic Yards CDC members prioritize completion. State official predicts 2nd railyard block would require just $350M (?) in subsidies. Other public support coming.

Would Diverted Taxes from Future Condos Fund ~$500M+ (?) for the Second Block of the Platform? ( link ) The developer’s lingering comment from last December leaves a hint.

Without Knowing the Subsidy Total, How (as the Pratt Center Warned in 2005) Can the Project Be Evaluated? ( link ) The RPA’s megaproject advice included public planning, shared revenues, and new oversight mechanisms. Plus: an Atlantic Yards CDC meeting Monday, in Manhattan.