Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Report

Ten years ago, on 6/24/09, the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) voted 10-2 to approve a last-minute deal allowing Forest City Ratner to stretch payments for the Vanderbilt Yard, and to build a smaller railyard worth $100 million less than originally promised. As described below, one of the most fervent supporters justified the deal because of the purported huge job-creation in ten years. Today we can see the flaws in that prediction. Remember, Forest City did not want to commit $100 million for railyard development rights, as promised in 2006, but instead negotiated just $20 million down for the part of the railyard needed for (part of) the arena parcel. The developer would then pay only $8 million through the end of May 2016, then face 15 annual payments of $11 million, with the final payment in 2030. (That implied 6.5% interest rate was pretty gentle .) That, critics observed, that the project would likely take well more than the promised ten years, an...

In a Daily News op-ed published today,  Brooklyn has the diversity and the attractions to make it the perfect host city for the 2016 Democratic National Convention , Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce president Carlo Scissura responds to "detracting mumblings regarding potential problems the convention could cause for New Yorkers." He writes: With 25 hotels and more than 2,000 rooms already available in the borough — and another 22 projects totaling 2,208 rooms in the pipeline — there’s no question Brooklyn is well equipped to handle the convention. Given that the convention should draw 35,000 people, I'm not sure what that means. Is there supposed to be a baseline number within walking distance of the convention location? If so, we should know. He continues: Traffic is nothing new for Brooklynites or any New Yorker. It has never stopped us from hosting the biggest events in the world, and the DNC should be no different. The MTA has promised to increase service if B...

From City & State, An Interview with Carlo Scissura, the Brooklyn Chamber’s New Leader (and former Chief of Staff to Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz): Q. Are you going to work with the Brooklyn Nets? A. It’s the greatest thing happening in Brooklyn right now. In less than two months, the Nets will be playing in Brooklyn. We’re thinking about partnerships with the Nets and the Barclays Arena. One of the first things out of my mouth when I travel to tourism trade shows is we have the Nets and we have the Barclays Arena. Let’s do some conventions there. It’s time Brooklyn become convention central for smaller conventions. The Barclays Arena should become a beacon for conventions across America. That's interesting--the arena has never been promoted as a convention center, nor are arenas generally that flexible. It would help to have more delivery space and parking, and a connected hotel or two. Replacing Markowitz From the Q&A: Q. How do you replace Marty...

When state Senator Eric Adams organized a surprising January 22 press conference on Atlantic Yards, I speculated that one motivation was his rumored run for Borough President in 2013. Adams wouldn't confirm that he was running, but he did to Room 8 columnist Rock Hackshaws, who wrote  2/3/12: I have had many credible sources tell me for quite some time now that Adams was going to seek the boro-prez position after Marty Markowitz is term-limited in 2013. In a phone conversation with Adams yesterday, he stated that right now he is first seeking re-election to his senate seat this year; then once he is successful, he will announce a run for the Brooklyn borough presidency sometime before Christmas 2012. He believes his chances of success are very high. I concur. Well, Adams does have name recognition beyond his elective service, notably as a co-founder (according to his bio ) of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care . Both his law enforcement background, as well as his wil...

Carlo Scissura, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz's designated heir--former Chief of Staff, now Special Advisor so he can campaign--discusses his political predictions and political future in a mid-December 2011 interview with Roberto Perez of The Perez Notes. His one political prediction, "Albany redistricting will be as partisan as it has ever been," was a gimme. Next question: why Carlo Scissura for Borough President, and not rumored candidates State Senators Eric Adams and Kevin Parker, and Assemblyman Nick Perry? Why Carlo? Scissura, prudently, did not say 1) that he's Markowitz's candidate 2) he's a lawyer, not as cartoon-y as Markowitz, and 3) in a borough where a good number of voters vote along ethnic/racial lines, he's the only announced white candidate among the four listed. (The above potential candidates have not committed, though I'd bet Adams, at least, is on board. And the race could be shaken up if, say, Council M...

The heir apparent in the Brooklyn Borough President's race is doing pretty well. The New York Post reported today, in Markowitz’s top advisor off to record start in 2013 Brooklyn Beep race : Carlo Scissura, senior advisor to Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, last night said he’s hauled in a whopping $126,765 for the latest filing period for the campaign to succeed his term-limited boss. The total, which includes more than $123,000 cash on hand, represents the largest inaugural filing for any new Brooklyn Borough President candidate in city history, officials said. The warchest was raised in only 100 days. ...“Brooklynites need a borough president who can create jobs, increase access to affordable housing, and make sure our kids are getting the kind of top-notch education they deserve. “Brooklyn has changed and evolved in incredible ways over the past decade. With my experience working for Marty and in the private sector, on issues from job creation to education, I k...

City Hall News reported 9/28/11: Carlo Scissura is taking another step toward running to replace his boss Marty Markowitz as Brooklyn borough president. The beep’s chief of staff is stepping down from that job to become a special advisor instead, taking a $15,000 pay cut to $124,000, with some of his responsibilities transferred to other staff members. The move frees him from the restrictions that bar top city officials from raising campaign money or doing other overtly political acts. Scissura, who declined to comment, received Conflicts of Interest Board clearance for the move. Markowitz will not replace him as chief of staff. In other words, Scissura likely will function in several ways as chief of staff, but without the title--for more than two years. Fundraiser tomorrow He's holding a fundraiser tomorrow, with one of hosts Andrew Steininger, capital budget/economic development specialist at Borough Hall, and another Sharon Davidson of the North Flatbush Busin...