[转载]来自Forest City Ratner Companies VP的正面评论
The Op-Ed: Atlantic Yards It Is Happening
February 10, 2010 | 1:11 p.m
MaryAnne Gilmartin
The recession, the credit crunch and the inherent difficulty of building in the most densely settled city in America: These are just a few of the challenges that have dogged the Atlantic Yards project since its announcement, in December 2003. Add to these general obstacles a small group of litigious opponents who vowed to sue early and often to stop the project, and the six-year project inception period makes more sense.
But the wait is over. We are building Atlantic Yards. And the project is more important than ever.
From the beginning, Atlantic Yards has been about much more than building a basketball arena. It has been about jobs and housing and an historic community-benefits agreement that ensures that the project's economic and social benefits help the folks who live here and need it most. Even during booming economic times, Brooklyn as a borough has seen unequal resources and opportunities; it is a place where good jobs and affordable housing could make a genuine difference. Now, as the economy stumbles out of the worst recession in decades, they are more necessary than ever.
The Harsh Reality
Unemployment in the borough is over 10 percent, compared to 5.7 percent just two years earlier. Each week, more than 100 people show up at the office of BUILD, a downtown Brooklyn-based job training organization, looking for jobs. Since 2004, nearly 7,000 have completed registry forms at this one organization alone. Last year, BUILD provided more than 1,200 local residents with job training or some type of employment support.
Affordable housing in the city remains scarce. Over a quarter of a million families are on waiting lists for Section 8 vouchers or public housing, a number that does not include the many cops, nurses, firemen, medical technicians and teachers who need moderate- and middle-income housing to afford to live in the city where they work.
For decades, the area surrounding and encompassing Atlantic Yards has remained a blighted part of the city. It has failed to attract the investment seen in other parts of the city and the borough. While opponents have depicted the 22-acre site as an oasis of brownstones and quaint streets, those who live or work in the area, or who have traveled to the site, know that while a few commercial businesses and residents have made the site their home, in 2006, more than 70 percent of the project area was occupied by empty lots, gas stations, underutilized or vacant manufacturing buildings and an 8-acre, below-grade LIRR rail yard, which since the early 1900s has divided the communities to the north and south of the site.
Looking to the Future
To those who wonder if the project will happen, we encourage a closer look. It is happening. Our commitment to the entire project remains as strong and fervent as the day we started. Work on Atlantic Yards has been ongoing since last summer. Nearly $90 million worth of work has already been awarded to contractors on the site thus far.
Still, it is the jobs and the housing that matter most, all the more now with double-digit unemployment and a painful affordable housing crunch. Atlantic Yards will create 17,000 construction jobs and up to 8,000 permanent jobs when completed. The first phase of the project, which starts with the Barclays Center Arena, will also provide approximately 1,500 residential units on the arena block, at least 30 percent of them affordable. Once completed, half of the 4,500 rental units will be available for low-income and working families.
Opponents' charges that we will end up building only an arena are false. No developer would sustain and ultimately agree to undertake a project like this with significant pre-development expenses, costly delays and well-defined future penalties and then build only an arena. Forest City Ratner Companies and its partners have invested upward of $500 million in the entire Atlantic Yards program since we announced the project. And millions more will be invested going forward.
While Atlantic Yards is a public-private partnership, the arena's share of public funds is a fraction of that received by other sports facilities. Direct public investments in the Atlantic Yards project, inclusive of the arena, add up to just over 5 percent of the anticipated cost.
Development requires agility, the willingness and ability to respond to a changing environment. On Atlantic Yards, we've done that. We've been appropriately nimble, making necessary adjustments in light of changing markets and demands. But we've done so without abandoning our principles or our commitment to the public good we and others expect from the project.
MaryAnne Gilmartin is executive vice president of Forest City Ratner Companies and an active member of the Real Estate Board of New York.
COMMENTS (20 posted)
8000 permanent jobs?
Submitted by NormanOder on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 15:08.
There are many dubious things about this op-ed, but perhaps the most dubious is that Gilmartin, like others in her company, keeps promising that there would be 8000 permanent jobs at Atlantic Yards.
Here's my analysis:
http://atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2010/02/brutally-weird-forest-ci...
The estimates of permanent jobs at the Atlantic Yards project have always been fantasies.
Remember the estimate of 10,000 jobs--the one that "enervated" Sen. Charles Schumer? It was bogus from the start. There was no market for that many office jobs. Forest City Ratner overstated the number of jobs that could fit in the four office towers projected to ring the arena. And it neglected to explain that most of the jobs would not be new but transferred from Manhattan.
But the latest projection of 8000 jobs is even more outrageous.
First, it's double the current official estimate (which itself is questionable) from the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC). Also, it's based on 2006 data--which even back then was doubtful--regarding two or three more office towers than the one currently contemplated.
And, to make it brutally weird, Forest City Ratner in legal papers relies on the 2009 data.
Gilmartin, Naturally, Leaves A Lot Out
Submitted by Daniel Goldstein on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 15:01.
Gilmartin, naturally, fails to mention any number of things. Here are a few:
Forest City Ratner (FCR) bypassed NYC's democratic land use approval process, and in so doing, evaded any vote by any legislator in NYC or NYS. For the largest development proposal in the history of Brooklyn, dependent upon public streets, public rail yards, eminent domain and massive subsidies and breaks, that is despicable.
FCR abusing eminent domain.
According to the NYCIBO FCR's arena would be a net loss for NYC and Ratner wouls receive $726 million in public gifts for the arena alone.
FCR can provide no renderings or models for anything other than the arena, though she claims in this advertisement, whoops, I mean OpEd, that they will build it all.
She claims AY is happening yet her company doesn't even own the land it needs to make it happen or have the money it needs to make it happen.
There is no guarantee that the affordable housing will happen or that subsidies will be available. Plus, most of the so-called affordable housing will not be affordable for most Brooklynites.
What jobs?
Her company is at the center of federal bribery indictments in Yonkers (though unindicted in the ongoing investigation.)
She claims that opponents "vowed to sue early and often." Opponents, such as Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, the organization I lead, never vowed anything like that.
Finally, she claims the site is "blighted." And then goes on to mischaracterize what the site consisted of before Ratner came along in 2003 (not 2006). It simply was not characterized by the kinds of properties she claims it was. She also mischaracterizes the way project opponents describe the project site. And now, of course, her company has indeed vacated and demolished much of it, all under the threat of eminent domain. And for what purpose? An arena, a skyscraper or two, along with acres and acres of surface parking lots?
FCR's Atlantic Yards has become a citywide, and nation-wide, poster child for abusive, irresponsible, undemocratic development AND eminent domain abuse.
Is it any wonder that no elected official (besides Markowitz) wants to be outspokenly associated with this degraded, sham project?
37.5 affordable units a year?
Submitted by NormanOder on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 15:08.
Gilmartin writes that Phase 1 "will also provide approximately 1,500 residential units on the arena block, at least 30 percent of them affordable."
Unmentioned by Gilmartin--or by the Observer for that matter--is that the development agreement allows Forest City Ratner 12 years to construct Phase 1 until damages kick in. Beyond that, the developer has the option to claim Affordable Housing Subsidy Unavailability for up to eight one-year extensions.
Let's assume that it takes 12 years. That would mean 37.5 affordable units a year. And most of those units would be unaffordable to members and supporters of ACORN, which signed the Atlantic Yards Affordable Housing Memorandum of Understanding.
Gilmartin refers to "low-income and working families." But she strenuously avoids explaining that, even as early as July 2006, those seeking subsidized housing at the project were shocked that so many of the apartments would be unaffordable to them.
More here:
http://atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2010/01/despite-promise-of-ten-y...
http://atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2009/10/acorns-talking-points-vs...
http://atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2006/07/stuckey-lewis-face-resti...
http://atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2009/07/would-40-of-ay-affordabl...
http://noticingnewyork.blogspot.com/2010/02/award-of-no-bid-mega-monopol...
Outrageous Op-Ed concerning Atlantic Yards
Submitted by charlesbklyn on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 15:20.
The harsh reality is this: The proposed Atlantic Yard project is a transfer or "taking" of middle class wealth in the city to one private developer without regard for due process, fairness or the public good. It is an outrage and an affront to The Constitution; something the writer of this op-ed does not understand. Please, spare us the economic imperative argument, the people of Brooklyn just got robbed.
Enough Already
Submitted by MES on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 16:58.
Not sure if my first post was published. I can never remember my observer log in info.
Anyway.....it's always the same three people complaining, the same three nimbys and I know there are more than 3 people that oppose the nets stadium, probably 5! And norman always trying to drag people to your site. You ramble on and on. I once tried going there but you're obviously nuts.
I need a job, this will bring jobs. I don't even need to hear the other reasons that it will be good for us.
Quit your whining.
Community Collaboration- Atlantic Yards 2010
Submitted by J.Coello - Broo... on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 18:08.
Atlantic Yards,Brooklyn New York
Community Collaboration: A relationship of working together cooperatively toward a common goal. It may include a range of levels of participation by organizations, members of the community, public officials,public or private developers. Determined by the degree of partnership, the frequency of regular communication, the equity of decision making, access to information, and the skills and resources of residents and stakeholders. It is a dynamic, ongoing process of working together and engaging as a partner for the betterment of the community. And every now and then a few naysayers !!
Welcome to the Atlantic Yards Community Benefits Agreement
Over 4,500 Donors.
Submitted by Daniel Goldstein on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 18:09.
MES, if I may call you that, did you read the comments? None of them are NIMBY or whining.
Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn has waged a six year long fight against Atlantic Yards precisely because it is a sham/scam.
that fight has been funded entirely by over 4,500 individual donations from members of, primarily, the Brooklyn community.
So no, it is not "just three people." It is thousands. Try to find a local politician who has 4,500 donors. You can't.
Yup, jobs are necessary and Atlantic Yards, as proposed and pursued, is perhaps the worst way to try to achieve job creation.
when's the next public meeting?
Submitted by Daniel Goldstein on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 18:53.
when's the next public meeting for this thing you call Community Collaboration - Atlantic Yards 2010?
Same Old Lies From Forest City Ratner
Submitted by SteveFtGreene on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 18:58.
There would have been a lot less opposition to this project if those trying to ram it through hadn't tried as hard as possible to eliminate any real public discussion/input by making it a state project. Atlantic Yards skirts New York City zoning and approval processes.
The project, dependent on massive public subsidies, was presented years ago as a fait accompli. This has forced discussion into the media and opposition into the courts.
And, as a blast from the past, BUILD a "job training organization" is trotted out, even though everyone with an interest in Atlantic Yards knows that BUILD is simply an "astro turf" organization entirely funded by Forest City Ratner (proof via IRS document:
http://dddb.net/php/press/BUILD/BUILD_IRSdocs.pdf).
There's no reason that anyone should seriously believe the promised benefits or project timetable as expressed by Gilmartin.
The only opposition is a
Submitted by MES on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 19:10.
The only opposition is a couple of rich nimbys that like living in a nasty hole in the ground.
Where are all those 4,500 people every time you nuts make a big(i should call it little) stink and try having an event?
It's always the same 5 people.
But it's nice to see that you guys are delusional.
Op-Ed???
Submitted by Jezrabelle on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 19:58.
Who (besides Forest City Ratner) benefits from running this self-promotion piece as an "Op Ed"? We already know that they think Atlantic Yards is the greatest thing since sliced bread -- and why not, since FCR gets all the slices?
This column should have been run as an advertisement, because that's what it is.
Show The Project Plans
Submitted by SteveFtGreene on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 23:36.
Rather than promoting Gilmartin, via a photo, wouldn't it make more sense to promote the project by way of architectural renderings?
Maybe that's not being done because there are only renderings for the arena. The rest is just smoke and mirrors.
I hope you wash your hands after writing such things, ms. gilmar
Submitted by malcolm on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 00:07.
Bruce Ratner's other projects have not been boons, but rather burdens on Taxpayers - in fact, its safe to say that if it were not for public subsidies, bruce ratner would be out of business. The numbers speak for themselves, so Ratner and company lie about the numbers or hide them from the public.
His metrotech is failure propped up by city and state agencies that have to take up office space... same goes for his Atlantic mall. And the same will go for Atlantic Yards, if built.
As for Ms. Gilmartin's flippant attitude towards property owners, well, that speaks for itself. Not even Robert Moses would have suggested stealing (and there is no other word for it) someone else's property to build an arena...but I suppose 'bread and circuses" has a particular appeal when you don't want citizens to face reality.
It's stealing, plain and simple; in any healthy society, Ms. Gilmartin would not be writing editorials, but rather, plea bargaining.
Gilmartin
Submitted by malcolm on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 00:09.
in a just world, Ms gilmartin would be trading her pants suit for prison stripes.
i always love this one. the
Submitted by malcolm on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 00:27.
i always love this one. the city is subsidizing a billionaire developer with a track record of incompetence, and now, by proxy, a russian oligarch.. yet we're rich "nimby"s as with most any 'fact' asserted by forest city supporters, we would welcome more transparency - forest city would not.
Forest City never seems to be far from corruption (Ridge Hill, for example) and if we had a diligent media, rather than one that gives op-ed advertorials to Forest City, this project would be under investigation.
Atlantic Yards Is the Tyranny of Nonsense
Submitted by cervo on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 04:09.
From the outset in 2003, FCRC billed the Atlantic Yards as a new Eden, a place from which humans were driven as will be the case with Ratner's fiscal and social nightmare. The entire concept makes no near term provision for affordable housing unless what is meant is housing that is affordable to members of the financial industry with a bailed out bonus. The area, if it is blighted, has acquired that look because of the rampages of the Ratner scheme. There is no clear evidence of permanent employment for anyone. That is evident from the fact that Ratner's Atlantic Center now houses the NYS DMV as one of its major tenants. In short we are paying to house an agency in a building the public paid to build and that could not retain commercial tenants. Construction jobs would appear, but will that offset the disastrous effect on the community that decades of construction in a highly congested area will bring. The AY scheme calls for the elimination of major streets with no alternative route for traffic. It would introduce 40,000 residents and transients all using an infrastructure that is crumbling now with no provision for building new arteries. In short, this oversized, poorly conceived, badly designed example of shady finance on the public cuff is a give away to fiscal policies of the 90s that are proven failures. The opposition to this folly are merely being rational in demanding something on a scale that suits the area and interfaces with the existing community.
Gib Veconi
Submitted by on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 10:49.
Ms. Gilmartin writes in her op-ed:
"For decades, the area surrounding and encompassing Atlantic Yards has remained a blighted part of the city."
As a clarification, the area bordering the Atlantic Yards site to the south and east was approved as the fifth-largest historic district in New York City last year. (
http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/maps/ProspectHeightsHDMap.pdf)
To the west and north of the site is a collection of retail commercial buildings and malls owned by Ms. Gilmartin's company. To the northeast are affordable housing projects, one of which has broken ground since Ms. Gilmartin's project was announced and will have owners occupying its 80 units before Atlantic Yards delivers any housing, affordable or otherwise.
That leaves the Atlantic Yards footprint itself, which, under Forest City's stewardship, has been blighted by the firm's demolition of historic buildings and affordable housing, and by its removal of retail and manufacturing businesses, for the purpose of creating interim surface parking for the arena it plans to build.
Should Atlantic Yards proceed on it current course, the effect of Ms. Gilmartin's project for the forseeable future will thefore be to institutionalize blight in this part of Brooklyn, undermining the gains the neighborhood has made in economic development, preservation and affordable housing over the last decade.
Both Forest City Ratner and the Empire State Development Corporation have have for the last six years consistently resisted having a constructive discussion with community representatives on Atlantic Yards' design, construction plan, public benefits and environmental impacts. For Ms. Gilmartin to express concern about blight at the Atlantic Yards site now is disingenuous in the extreme.
Gib Veconi
Submitted by on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 10:51.
There seems to be some bug on the Observer's site that causes multiple comments to be submitted. Sorry about that.
Gib Veconi
Submitted by on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 10:52.
Same comment re the script bug.
Gilmartin pretends this is a public benefit..but
Submitted by malcolm on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 11:47.
her boss says otherwise:
"Why should people get to see plans? This isn't a public project."
Bruce Ratner in Crain's Nov. 8, 2009
As for the so called blight, Gilmartin is lying and she knows it. (when you have lie to make a point Gilmartin, chances are truth is not on your side)
George Will covered the fake blight a few weeks ago:
Avaricious developers and governments twist the meaning of 'blight
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/01/AR201001...
Didn't your mother tell you not to lie Gilmartin?
