Nets owner BSE Global proposes using empty ex-Modell's store across from arena for youth basketball programs (free? $645/week?), until new towers built.

This is the first of five articles about the Sept. 26 meeting of the advisory Atlantic Yards Community Development Corporation (AY CDC). The second concerned the expected entry of Related Companies and the obligations for affordable housing. The third concerned plans for a giant, two-tower project at Site 5. The fourth concerned the plan to make the arena plaza permanent. The fifth concerned plans for a Quality of Life meeting.

No, there was no big news about the project's future, as I unwisely anticipated.

A new developer for much of the project has not yet emerged, but that's in progress. I'll write more about shortly.

The AY CDC Directors were told about a proposal, from arena operator BSE Global, to temporarily use the former Modell's Sporting Goods store, at Site 5 opposite the arena, for the their youth basketball program, Brooklyn Basketball, which involves summer camps and after-school clinics.

The proposal, which also involves site leaseholder Greenland USA, was presented merely as an informational item, as Empire State Development (ESD), the state authority that oversees the project, must give its consent, and surely will do so. (That presumably cannot be withheld as long as the use is reasonable.) 

The store has been vacant since the Modell's chain filed for bankruptcy in 2020, though it was used briefly for vaccinations during the pandemic.

General support

AY CDC Directors were generally supportive of the idea, as it would activate a currently empty space, with potentially three youth courts and one half-court. 

It could start as an after-school program soon--this year, stated ESD's Anna Pycior, Senior VP, Community Relations.

Beachhead for future?

Indeed, if and when a giant two-tower project--as expected--is built at Site 5 (where P.C. Richard still operates), I wouldn't be surprised if BSE Global's beachhead youth basketball program translates into a permanent related space in the new complex.

The building is owned by ESD but leased to Greenland USA, the current master developer, which is losing most of the rest of the project--six sites over the Vanderbilt Yard--in foreclosure.

Is the program free?

At the meeting, some questions surfaced about the program's economics. No one from BSE Global was present, and the handout, excerpted below, didn't address cost.

(Note: the item was not on the meeting agenda and the handout wasn't circulated ahead of time, so there was no opportunity to reflect on it and formulate questions beforehand.)

"How is the program funded?" asked AY CDC Director Gib Veconi.

"It is a BSE-managed program," Pycior said.

"There's no cost to the to the youth that participate?" Veconi asked. Nobody from ESD knew the answer.

AY CDC Chair Daniel Kummer noted that costs to build out and operate the site would be borne by BSE.

"It would be helpful to confirm that there is no cost to participants," Veconi said. 

Fellow Director Ethel Tyus noted that the third paragraph of the handout, as shown below, cited the signature program of free basketball clinics to students in Brooklyn, "but confirm, yeah."

Camp cost $645/week

Yes, it should be confirmed. BSE proposes that the space be open seven days a week with after-school and weekend training, camps, coach clinics, and tournaments.

No costs are stated, but the "community-first basketball experience" can be costly.

As noted on the Brooklyn Bridge Parents website, a Brooklyn Basketball camp last summer held in Midwood at the Brooklyn College campus cost $645/week. 

Note this commenter on Brooklyn Basketball's Instagram: "Wish this was more affordable $645 for one week smh."

Proposed: "Vibrant Hub"

The proposal states that a "physical home directly across the street from Barclays Center will offer us the ability to reach additional kids and their families and transform a current eyesore into a hub for community good."

What about Greenland?

Maybe it's hard to begrudge a developer that's taken heavy losses on Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park the ability to earn a pittance from temporarily licensing a space that otherwise can't be monetized.

But it should be noted that Greenland has not delivered the promised affordable housing and has previously attempted to extend the 2025 deadline for 876 more units. It also gained ESD's support in 2021 for a much larger project at Site 5 than previously approved.

How much should it benefit while deferring its obligations?