Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Report

Given New State Funds, Would Former Developer Greenland Still be the Project’s “Largest Subsidy Provider"? Was It Ever? ( link ) Nope, it’s the public, no matter how you slice it. Still, it’s worth looking at new developer Cirrus’s claims.

Glaring Risk: Sequencing Plan Would Deliver Bulk Bonus First, But Delay 61% of Future "Park" ( link ) Subsidy is front-loaded, enabling 71% of Phase 2 apartments. Is the second block, promising “signature” open space, an albatross or an asset? 

Tsai’s Alibaba Sponsors Tsai’s Nets with Patch, Tech; Couple Touts Teams in New Book of Interviews ( link ) Also, Barclays Center releases October 2026 event calendar; Liberty forge ahead; Islanders’ value booms

At Low-Turnout Hearing, State Urged to Broaden Study Area, Increase Affordability, Consider Alternatives, Ensure Open Space ( link ) No project supporters spoke, but only one elected official attended. Online format had some bumps.

Before Tonight’s Hearing, My Article in City Limits, and Wide-Ranging Advice from BrooklynSpeaks ( link ) Might city investment in the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust support Atlantic Yards? Also, Cirrus has raised some more money.

More from Meeting: “Single Developer Structure” Questioned; Environmental Review Includes Online Hearing Sept. 24 ( link ) State officials details outreach efforts. November workshop will address project’s (reorganized if not much augmented) open space.

Though NY State Aims to Ensure Initial Phase 2 Construction, Less Incentive for Second Block ( link ) Timeline leaves “signature” open space in jeopardy. Second block would have only 29% of Phase 2 bulk, less than originally approved. Do developers really seek 1.6M more square feet overall? 

Advisory Board Rejects Request for a Financial Analysis to Justify Subsidies and Affordable Housing Configuration ( link ) Atlantic Yards CDC members prioritize completion. State official predicts 2nd railyard block would require just $350M (?) in subsidies. Other public support coming.

Would Diverted Taxes from Future Condos Fund ~$500M+ (?) for the Second Block of the Platform? ( link ) The developer’s lingering comment from last December leaves a hint.

Without Knowing the Subsidy Total, How (as the Pratt Center Warned in 2005) Can the Project Be Evaluated? ( link ) The RPA’s megaproject advice included public planning, shared revenues, and new oversight mechanisms. Plus: an Atlantic Yards CDC meeting Monday, in Manhattan.

Will the New York Liberty Practice Facility Be Ready By the 2027 WNBA Pre-Season? ( link )  I wouldn’t bet on it. The Greenpoint site still hasn’t seen vertical construction. If it opens in late 2027, that's the 2028 season.

Draft Scope: 12% More Condos Possible; “Housing” Goal Trumps Affordability; Open Space “Reorganized” ( link )  Excluding arena, nearly 2/3 of project’s overall bulk remains to be built. Hotel would reduce apartments, including affordable ones. Wind study promised.

Barclays Center Releases September 2026 Event Calendar: 13 Concerts, 2 Liberty Games, & 2 Loud(?) Private Events ( link ) Religious revival Sept. 11-12 includes amplified sound on the plaza until 10 pm both nights, and starting at 8 am Saturday.

What’s New in Draft Scope? Better Views of Seven Proposed Towers, New Ground Floor Access Plans, Unlikely Timing ( link ) Projected 2040 completion date “is subject to some uncertainty.” That’s for sure.

New “Informational Handout” on Atlantic Yards Omits Mention of Subsidies and Free Bulk ( link ) While touting more apartments, it doesn’t say market-rate units outpace affordable ones. Focus on “reorganized” open space omits increase, which might be just .3-acre.

How a Promised 1-Acre Increase in Open Space Became .5-Acre, Outpaced by Tower Expansion ( link ) The developers’ explanation doesn't fully make sense. Also, the rhetoric regarding the B8 “transformative amenity” deserved closer scrutiny. 

Belatedly Released State Document Suggests Subsidies Would Exceed $700M; Deadlines of 2037/39 for 1st Block and 2040/42 (!?) for 2nd Block Have Escape Hatches ( link ) If the smaller first block needs $350M, a $700M total wouldn't be enough. NYS admits second platform block not yet viable. Affordable housing conforms to plans disclosed.

"Art on the Hour" at the Arena Oculus: a Curious Juxtaposition With Digital Advertising ( link ) The works vary significantly in style and quality. At BAM, a separate project: a film fest from Spike Lee and Clara Wu Tsai. 

Behind the Lull, Much Is Percolating: MOU, Financial Analysis, Draft Scope for the Environmental Review ( link ) Developer Cirrus's lobbying includes a stepped-up contract for crunch time, plus outreach to clergy (via AG Tish James!). YIMBY Mayor Mamdani's on board.

The Brooklyn Nets & NY Liberty Foundation: More Transparent than the Tsais' Social Justice Fund ( link ) Some spending bolsters arena allies, some to national causes. Some goes to local Jewish groups. How could the (phantom) Tsai Foundation give $2M to the teams' foundation?