Atlantic Yards down the memory hole: "Isn't it crazy how such a big piece of prime Brooklyn land was left empty until this project came along?"

From Curbed, Atlantic Yards Actually Looks Like Something Now:

Isn't it crazy how such a big piece of prime Brooklyn land was left empty until this project came along?

(Photo via Tom Kaminski/WCBS 880.)

Well, there was a working railyard at the northern half of the arena site (the bottom of the photo at right), which had to be put up for sale--not that Forest City Ratner didn't have the inside track to get the railyard, and to get the deal renegotiated.

And there were three rows of buildings, on Dean and Pacific streets, as well at along Flatbush Avenue, at the southern half of the arena site.

I suspect we're going to see a lot more of this. Below, a reminder, from photographer Tracy Collins.