Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Report

The 2005 Atlantic Yards MOU Was Announced by the Governor & Released to Face Scrutiny ( link ) So, why the secrecy about the project's latest Memorandum of Understanding, outlining timetables, subsidies, and more? 

How Much Money Does Cirrus Workforce Housing Have, and How Long Will it Last? ( link ) Cirrus has raised just $137.7M toward a $400M goal. It has some big expenditures, but also $175M in public funds. Also, NY State has signed an MOU with Cirrus but won't make it public.

Is Atlantic Yards, As Per Gov. Hochul, an "Affordable Housing Development"? Not Really. ( link ) Would there be 40% more below-market units, as per the developer? Nope. Flashback: Greenland's road not taken promised more affordable units, sooner. 

The Brooklyn Nets, Social Justice, and (Exiting) Sponsor Qatar Airways, from a Repressive Regime ( link ) Qatar's made a #sportswashing push worldwide, though it will lose its club at Barclays. Neighboring United Arab Emirates, with even uglier baggage, is entwined with the NBA and the Knicks.

At the Barclays Center, an Anniversary Image Claims Brooklyn Centrality ( link ) Is the arena the lodestone around which other borough icons radiate?

At Atlantic Yards Town Hall, Talk of Progress, but Some Big Questions Face Distraction, Distortion, and Deflection ( link ) Developers claim density is in context, avoid open space question, and overstate increase in affordability. ESD still waffles on accountability. 

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.

The Knicks Win and NYC Exults, Mostly. The Nets May Be Irrelevant Now, But How Handle a Win in BK? ( link ) Some chaos in Manhattan reminds us how Barclays is a VERY tight fit. Also, City & State's Sports package raises some questions but ignores a key one (as does Mamdani).

As Affordable Housing Baseline Continues to Rise, What Might "Low-Income" Mean in 2031? ( link ) A couple, at 60% AMI, might have to earn nearly $110,000 and pay $2,565+/month for a 1-BR in the project's next buildings. So, deeper affordability is needed. 

Today, just in time for the New York Knicks' home Finals game, City & State New York published  The 2026 Who’s Who in Sports , subtitled "Notable New Yorkers at the intersection of athletics and politics." I'd note that there are three people on the list associated with Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, parent of the Barclays Center, Brooklyn Nets, and New York Liberty, but only one associated with Madison Square Garden.  The print magazine has an ad from Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, which is part of the City & State business plan: bestow awards, get thanked. The list is alphabetical, not ranked. On the list It includes Marissa Shorenstein, Chief External Affairs Officer, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, who "handles government affairs and strategic communications," citing her work opening the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center and plans for a new Liberty training center. It also includes Gregg Bishop, Executive Director, Joe and Clar...

 Reckoning with the New Documentary, "Rust & Reckoning: The Legacy of the Barclays Center" ( link ) Excited arena patrons and striking architecture vs. unfulfilled civic promises. However, 20 minutes, filmed mostly in 2022, is too short, leaving crucial omissions.

The Barclays Center last week circulated the June 2026 event calendar to neighbors, including seven concerts, four New York Liberty games, one boxing match, and the NBA draft. the latter on June 23. Also listed are nine private events, at least five of which are graduation ceremonies. Also listed: the weigh-in, on June 26, for the boxing match, with amplified sound on the plaza from 11 am to 2 pm. Note that the calendar is in error, misidentifying June 1-4 as Friday through Monday, rather than starting on Monday. The private events June 1, morning: Baruch College June 1, afternoon: John Jay College of Criminatl Justice June 4, morning: Borough of Manhattan Community College June 4, afternoon: Hunter College June 8: NYC College of Technology I couldn't determine the specifics about private events June 9, June 15, June 16, and June 18. Below is the Barclays Center's list of ticketed events. From Barclays Center June 2025 The June 2025 event calendar , had only eight announced tic...

Stonewalling and Secrecy at the Atlantic Yards Advisory Meeting ( link ) Yes, the state has committed $175M for the first block of the platform, but it's just a start. MOU coming in July. But the meeting was mostly in executive session.