Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Report

The lesson of my recent coverage of Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park is that the state officials who should know the most don't know much (or aren't telling), and the official advisory board hasn't been told. See: Brooklyn’s Stalled Atlantic Yards Plan Faces More Questions Than Answers  from City Limits  State officials say they expect a new developer to emerge. But without a new plan, will they pursue damages on June 1 for absent affordable housing? , from this blog The lesson from some other coverage and events is that other people know even less. Consider, as detailed below, an op-ed from a former state official, comments from one candidate for Brooklyn Borough President (though the incumbent had a better grasp), and a friendly interview with a city official who worked on the project. Blaming the NIMBYs It’s time for New Yorkers to embrace YIMBYism , wrote Elizabeth Fine, former counsel to Gov. Kathy Hochul and now principal of Liz Fine Advisory, wrote in Crain's New York...

It wouldn't be the first time. As I reported ( link ) in September 2015, both Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Brooklyn-based Mayor Bill de Blasio modeled new "Brooklynified" jerseys for the NHL's New York Islanders, about to move to the Barclays Center. BP Reynoso with  KidSuper founder Colm Dillane Well, that didn't work out well, but there's indeed precedent for elected officials boosting a home team jersey.  Remember Gov. Kathy Hochul with a Brooklyn Nets jersey in November 2021, or Sen. Chuck Schumer, Borough President Marty Markowitz, Mayor Mike Bloomberg, and Gov. George Pataki all with Nets jerseys , in January 2004, after the team was purchased? Enter BP Reynoso One surprising, but not shocking, variation is seeing Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso appear last October in a press release and photo boosting a new Brooklyn Nets merchandise collection, rocking a $995 leather varsity jacket , from the Brooklyn-based brand KidSuper. The ...

I wrote recently about the illuminating graphics found in  The Comprensive Plan for Brooklyn: A Vision for a Healthier, More Equitable Borough (also bottom), released by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.  One key bottom line is that he will push for more housing where it has lagged. Now let's take a closer look. According to the report: Our comprehensive plan is many things at once: 1) It is a vision of a Brooklyn for all. 2) It is a recognition that the well-being of a neighborhood and of our borough is dictated by how we use our land, allocate our funding, and administer our programs. 3) It’s a tool with which we can measure the merits of a proposal, advocate for community needs, and push for changes to our neighborhoods that make sense. 4) It is an information and data resource that can be useful to anyone and everyone. 5) And, critically, it is a space where dialogue can coalesce and a comprehensive plan for our entire city can grow. He acknowledged he can...

A 4/25/22 press release from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso,  Report outlines administration’s priorities, goals, and proposed strategies to help guide and implement the Borough President’s vision for Brooklyn : BROOKLYN, NY (April 25, 2022) Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso today released his administration’s Transition Report , which outlines priorities, goals, and proposed strategies that will help guide and implement his vision for Brooklyn. Led by a representative group of leaders from throughout the borough, the report is organized into seven themes – Green Brooklyn, Equitable Brooklyn, Working Brooklyn, Healthy Brooklyn, Creative and Cultural Brooklyn, Educated Brooklyn, and Civically Engaged Brooklyn. Collectively, the themes ladder up to challenges and opportunities present within the borough. ...Another focus of his administration includes reforming the borough’s 18 community boards, which perform a vital role in connecting residents to City governmen...