With AY CDC set to meet July 26, possible discussion of big-picture issues (platform start, affordable housing obligation & renegotiation of fines)--or not.

Well, the Atlantic Yards Community Development Corporation (AY CDC), which is supposed to advise the parent Empire State Development (ESD) is almost on schedule.

The (purportedly) advisory body, which is supposed to meet quarterly but has had big gaps between meetings, will meet on Wednesday, July 26 at 3 pm, according to an ESD spokeswoman. No agenda or other information has yet been posted yet, but the meeting likely will be held in person at ESD offices, with a webcast,

The AY CDC last met April 11, with a presentation by ESD Project Director Tobi Jaiyesimi but no representative of the development team since Scott Solish of Greenland USA had left his job. Since then, Jaiyesimi has departed as well.

What's the agenda?

Without the agenda (and, maybe, even with it), it's unclear what the ambit of the meeting will be.

Will it be simply to get the AY CDC up to speed on changes at ESD? Will a replacement for Jaiyesimi be announced and presiding, or will it be presided over by a newer, more senior executive like Joel Kolkmann?

What about the long-promised platform over the Vanderbilt Yard, key to three towers in each of two phases, and the plans by the master developer--dominated almost completely by Greenland USA--to "likely" start work in the second half of this year? (Big if true, I wrote.)

If so, will a representative of Greenland USA be present? (Will it be Jen Kuang, or a lobbyist/consultant?) Will Greenland respond to questions?

Either way, what about the May 2025 deadline to deliver 2,250 units of affordable housing, with a $2,000/month fine for each missing unit? (As of now, 876--or 877--have yet to start.) 

Does ESD intend to enforce those fines? (In April, Jaiyesimi's phrasing indicated that the state authority is reluctant to do so.) If not, why not? What renegotiation terms has Greenland been exploring?

Will the AY CDC be asked to ratify a recommendation to the parent board (which might meet the next day)? Who knows.