Steel goes up at arena site, Markowitz proclaims full project benefits await, DDDB will seek stay on construction

As predicted by Forest City Ratner officials, they've ordered steel for the Barclays Center arena, and erection of the steel began yesterday, according to a Nets press release.

From developer Bruce Ratner:

“The installation of steel is always a major milestone for a construction project,” said Mr. Ratner. “With the foundation work largely done, we are now poised to go vertical. Over the next several months, the Barclays Center will begin to take on the iconic shape that we believe will make the arena a worldwide destination and Brooklyn an international city.”

And Marty Markowitz takes the opportunity to leap, without foundation, from arena progress to project fruition:

“Progress on the Barclays Center spells great things for Brooklyn and its future,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “This project will bring jobs, affordable housing and economic opportunity, as well as a triumphant return to major league sports for the greatest fans in the world—Brooklynites.”

NetsDaily rounds up the ritual coverage.

Some caution from DDDB

The Brooklyn Paper offers a word from project opponents:

Project opponents were far less effusive about the work — particularly in light of a recent court ruling that found that the state agency overseeing the development withheld information to avoid having to examine the project’s negative impacts.

“We believe that they have no business going forward,” said Candace Carponter, the legal director for Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn, which has opposed the development. “They are rushing to get as much in the ground as they can before we seek a stay from the court.”

Well, Supreme Court Justice Marcy Friedman didn't stay arena construction in her ruling earlier this month, and I wouldn't bet on it.

But she should take more seriously arguments about the timetable for the rest of Phase 1 and Phase 2, which, according to the belatedly-released Development Agreement, could take 12 years and 25 years--not the official timetable, which is ten years.

Helping out the press

The Nets press release offers a helpful tip to the press:

Photographers and reporters interested in documenting the work, please contact Brian Moriarty via email (brian_moriarty@dkcnews.com). We can accommodate you on the roof of Atlantic Center at the intersection of Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues in Brooklyn between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. today.

In other words, it helps to own and operate a mall across the street.