Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Report

The Barclays Center on June 30 (I'm late) released its July 2026 event calendar, which includes 18 ticketed events: three New York Liberty games and 15 concerts, including a five-night stint starting Monday featuring Ariana Grande. That's a clear improvement over July 2025, when there were 14 ticketed events, including eight Liberty games and six concerts. Also, there's one unspecified private event. July 2025 In July 2025 , there were eight New York Liberty games and six concerts.  There also were four unspecified private events, plus two other events: a July 19 WNBA All-Star watch party; and, on July 27, a "Belong Brooklyn" event, sponsored by the Social Justice Fund of arena company operators Joe and Clara Wu Tsai. 

A YIMBY Fever Dream? State Plans 3,950 Apartments on Two Sites Near Hudson Yards ( link ) One might have a Floor Area Ratio well over 30 and be the country's densest residential building. Another might have the most units in a single tower. Some contrasts with Atlantic Yards Site 5.

Developers Express Confidence About New Designs, but Ignore Some Inconvenient Facts ( link ) Better open space design is challenged by a huge influx of residents. Constrained Site 5 would have unprecedented density, while adjacent Flatbush Ave. "is kind of a moat."

As Revised Plan Shows (Larger) Tower Dimensions and Affordability Details, State Envisions $700M in Direct Subsidies ( link ) A 37% increase in total apartments, but only 16% more affordable units. Union support and affordability criticism at advisory body meeting. Coming: Memorandum of Understanding. 

Is Jersey City's Journal Square, With Giant Towers, a Template for Parcel Opposite Arena? ( link ) Not really, because the sites are far larger. Also, watch out for wind impacts, and elevator problems. The only comparably dense projects to Atlantic Yards may be in Asia, not the U.S.

Again With Short Notice, NY State Announces an Atlantic Yards Advisory Board Meeting ( link ) ESD's Atlantic Yards Community Development Corporation will meet on June 29, with another Executive Session. Pre-meeting public comments are due by 3 pm tomorrow, though the Agenda's vague.

Latest from the Tsais' Social Justice Fund: Brooklyn Pitch Competition; $450K in Grants ( link ) Six years after George Floyd's murder, the talk is "economic mobility." The promotional image is multicultural.

From City Limits: How a 35% Affordable Housing Pledge in Brooklyn Was Torpedoed ( link ) Two towers on Atlantic Avenue, east of the Atlantic Yards site, promised special benefits in exchange for permission for extra bulk. But things changed. Also, some thoughts on (hyper)local journalism.