The Rat’s Nest

 

22-01-2009       Brooklyn, NY

Complete Destruction

It was an icy day.
We buried the cat,
then took her box
and set fire to it
in the back yard.
Those fleas that escaped
earth and fire
died by the cold.

~William Carlos Williams

1958 was a terrible year for the borough of Brooklyn. The brittle glue that held this gritty city together had been violently chipped apart. The glue was one topic of interest that was spoken of in back alleys, subway trains, barber shops and on brownstone stoops. This one uniting factor that sent people into a collective tizzy was, of course, the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers. After an ambitious plan by the team’s owner, Walter O’Malley, to build a state-of-the-art stadium over the Atlantic Avenue rail yards was squashed by Robert Moses (A.K.A. Bobby Kickback), the team was forced to relocate to Chávez Ravine in Los Angeles. Who knows what would have happened if the stadium had been built? Perhaps the borough wouldn’t have fell into economic decline? Perhaps the city’s center would have bustled with life? All we know for sure is that the rail yards have laid there like an old dying cat for some time. The fate of this pitiful animal has been the subject of intense debate over the last fifty years. 

In 2004, the debate was once again aroused after a successful businessman by the name of Bruce Ratner acquired the New Jersey Nets basketball team. The main goal of this acquisition was to bring a professional team back to a place where Ratner had attempted other ventures, Brooklyn, NY. Ratner’s lofty goals not only included the arena over the Atlantic rail yards, but to also the construction of 16 Frank Gehry designed high rise condominiums (two of the largest buildings were set to offer “affordable” HUDD housing in an undisclosed amount of units) and a public green. The deal was promoted to local residents as a chance to put Brooklyn back on the map. It was a deal that would provide low-income housing, jobs to city workers, and a business center in Brooklyn that bustled with commerce. The plan initially had many high profile proponents: Mayor Bloomberg, Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz, and partial team owner and Brooklyn native, Jay Z.

As most things go, the promises seemed far fetched. Soon cracks in Ratner’s plan began to show. As the footprint for the Atlantic Terminal Urban Renewal Area (ATURA) developed, it became evident to residents of Prospect Heights and Fort Greene that their homes were either in the shadow of these huge edifices, or directly underfoot. Not only that, but the designs were hideous (in my opinion). I mean, look at these things:

As funding began to dry up for the project, the amount of affordable housing that was slated to be set aside suddenly dropped. It also became evident that the majority of this so-called low-income housing was relegated to families who made a “moderate” household income of $50-115k/year. Meanwhile, the average household income in Brooklyn is $32k. This begs the question, to whom are these units affordable to? The promises of jobs to local workers came into question as well. When Ratner’s first project (Metrotech) went up in downtown Brooklyn back in the 80’s, he’d promised scores of jobs for locals. His word proved unworthy, however, and he outsourced the jobs to his cronies outside of the city. What’s to say that he won’t do the same with this project?

Worst of all, the whole plan reeks of kickbacks and shady deals. The MTA, who owned the land over the rail yards, sold it to Ratner for $100 million. This seems odd that the land had been appraised for over $200 million and there was another bid on the table for $150 million. Why would the MTA willingly throw away that kind of money? Especially with the current budget crisis that has them raising fares and cutting service!! In short, who ends up paying the $50 million out? The residents of New York City. Additionally, people who own and rent in the footprint aren’t exactly jumping for joy at the prospect of having their beautiful brownstones completely demolished. If this was an endeavor set forth by the federal government or State of New York, then eminent domain could effectively be exercised. However, this is an attempt at a blatant land grab by an individual. Not only is it abuse of eminent domain but also a violation of the residents’ fifth amendment rights.

So what will become of the old cat laying in Brooklyn’s center?

As it currently stands, the shifting economy has also shifted the feasibility of the project. Ratner has not only scaled down the plans for the arena and surrounding buildings, but has also requested to cut funds given to the MTA (another slap in the face to commuters). As he still hasn’t paid the $100 million for the land, the space can technically go back on the auction block until a more sound investor comes along. Ratner seems to be back on his heels right now. With increased opposition from the community, he could be pushed off the rat’s nest he’s attempting to build in the heart of Brooklyn. For all those willing to further the opposition’s cause, you can sign the online petition and let your voice be heard…

http://dddb.net/php/petition.php

¡El Pueblo, unido, jamás será vencido!