Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Report

A Bloomberg TV interview two days ago was cut up into several parts, including New York City Is Growing Like Crazy: Ratner , in which the mogul touts the new high-tech firms that want to be in New York City and Brooklyn. Then there was  No Evidence Past Wage Hikes Changed Economy: Ratner , in which Ratner defended an increase in the minimum wage--"why should I subsidize Wal-Mart workers?" with federal support--and backed New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's effort to increase taxes on the rich to pay for pre-K, noting that Mayors Rudy Giuliani and David Dinkins raised taxes more for new cops. But the really choice excerpt was  Wasn’t Easy, But Bernanke Saved the Economy: Ratner , in which the developer discussed national policy and declared interest rates "the most critical aspect of real estate." "We look at it very  carefully and when we think it is very low, we will very often refinance something and lock it in. It's critical," Ratner decl...

Last year, Forest City Ratner's CEO Bruce Ratner was #59 on NYC's "Power 100" list, as complied by the semi-monthly political magazine City and State . This year Ratner, now the company's chairman, is #43, a bump up based on his history of support for Mayor Bill de Blasio, as indicated in the screenshot below. (The issue isn't online yet.) As the screenshot indicates, the Black Institute's Bertha Lewis--who wasn't on the list last year--ranks #42, based on her closeness to de Blasio. City and State doesn't point out that she's Ratner's affordable housing ally, but that pairing will rely on some synergy. Also note, at #24 and #23, Jonathan Rosen and Valerie Berlin of the political consulting/p.r. firm Berlin Rosen. They work not only for de Blasio but also for Ratner and Lewis, another reason I annotated de Blasio's Circle of Power last November by adding Forest City Ratner.

Also see coverage today regarding how Forest City Ratner spent its first round of EB-5 financing and two federal reports critical of EB-5 . Three years after they (deceptively) marketed Atlantic Yards to green card-seeking immigrant investors, thus reaping $228 million in cheap capital via the federal government's EB-5 program, Atlantic Yards promoters are back. Their effort now is bigger and bolder, aiming to raise $249 million, saving likely well over $100 million compared to conventional financing. "Atlantic Yards II" features similarly mendacious marketing. It hypes basketball, the already-built Barclays Center, and booming Brooklyn while remaining vague about how the investors' money might actually be used--though there are hints it would be used for the new railyard that developer Forest City Ratner is obligated to build. It offers stale quotes from former elected officials about the entire $5 billion Atlantic Yards project, leaving the impression ...

Also see coverage today regarding Forest City Ratner's new plans to raise EB-5 funds and two federal reports critical of EB-5 . In a new video, Forest City Ratner CEO MaryAnne Gilmartin  tells  potential new immigrant investors, who'd offer a low-interest loan in exchange for green cards for themselves and their families, "Several years back, we utilized EB-5 funds to execute other infrastructure improvements in and around the Barclays Center." It is, at best, a partial truth, for Gilmartin to claim that the $228 million Forest City raised beginning in 2010--likely saving more than $100 million over conventional financing--was used for infrastructure . Claimed value of collateral Documentary evidence from the New York City Department of Finance, as well as Forest City's own statements, suggests the money was used, in large portion, to replace a high-interest land loan from Gramercy Capital. That subverts the intent, if not the letter of the law, whic...

Also see coverage today regarding how Forest City Ratner spent its first round of EB-5 financing and i ts plans for a new round . From industry org.  IIUSA The federal government's immigrant investor program (known as EB-5) has faced a recent backlash, with two highly critical governmental reports on a program that typically has organized supporters while few skeptics look at the public interest. For example, the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General said the federal agency overseeing EB-5 is "limited in its ability to prevent fraud or national security threats." Nor can it "demonstrate that the program is improving the U.S. economy and creating jobs for U.S. citizens as intended by Congress." That's harsh criticism for a program that's a hot topic in development finance, with aggressive supporters enjoying the benefit of marketing something they don't own--green cards--and turning it into cheap financing, money they say ...

As reported 10/30/13, NYPD Traffic Enforcement District Manager Donald Powe told the 78th Precinct Community Council meeting that the division would "devote a few patrol cars" to the streets around the Barclays Center where illegal idling and parking problems had been recorded. It was a rather belated response to complaints. For how long? "It'll be ongoing," he replied. At the 12/4/13 meeting of the Atlantic Yards Quality of Life Committee, North Slope resident Steve Ettlinger noted the numerous apparent violations cited on Atlantic Yards Watch and asked about Powe. “We invited him,” said 78th Precinct Deputy Inspector Michael Ameri. Ettlinger, who along with others said he'd been unable to find contact information for Powe, said he believed there were several tactics--including foot patrols and different hours--that would help with enforcement. “They are civilian members” of the department, Ameri said. “I'll reach out to a supervisor.” Fo...