Nets and the City

Today, the plans for a Brooklyn arena to house the NJ Nets will be unveiled at Brooklyn Borough Hall. Developer Bruce Ratner has enlisted Frank Gehry design the 20,000 seat building that would stand at the corner of Flatbush and Atlantic. And yes, there will be titanium. Ratner also plans to build 5,500 apartments and a commercial complex. Of course, some are complaining that this would lead to the "Manhattanization" of Brooklyn.

Other bids to purchase Nets are from NJ developer Charles Kushner and NJ Sen. Jon Corzine (bid: $267.5 million) and NY investor Stuart Feldman ($257.5 million), who have said the Nets would stay in NJ. Ratner's bid is for $275 million. And as it's the only bid to bring the Nets to NYC, Mayor Bloomberg will be at today's ceremony, along with Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on December 10, 2003 8:22 AM

Comments [rss]

Betsy Rate

This plan calls for condemning my block - My building would be seized by eminent domain powers and razed. Would like to talk with other people on Pacific between 5th and 6th Avenues. Would like to compare notes with neighbors. Thanks.

Nervous

The fan base for the Nets (and, for that matter, the Devils)in NJ is practically nill. They are teams that people just yawn about in NYC and play championship games in a half-filled arena. I doubt you'd see many Jersey-ites venturing into Brooklyn to see what will surely be renamed the NY somethings. Plus, this project sits atop a massive mass transit hub, so most fans would be on trains. In a sort of Odd-Couple reunion, at least one local is all for this project. According to Reuters, Brooklyn-born Jay-Z says "I am in love with the whole thing. Let's get the Nets."

Jen

Wait a minute, Matty, the Giants and Jets are both NY teams - they just play in NY. NJ only has the Nets and Devils. I think if the Nets moved to NY, they would be renamed the NY Nets.

Coolfer

Right in my backward, too. I'd rather not have a the Nets bring in new buildings, higher rents and a crappy team.

Matty

Oh man, this is right in my backyard. Traffic on Flatbush and Atlantic are bad enough without 20,000 people coming through twice a week. Even worse is that my rent will most certainly go up as more folks move into the area.

On another note, what's up with NJ teams moving their stadiums to NYC and vice versa? This creates too much traffic for me. Bring the Giants Stadium back to NYC and keep those Jersey-ites out of Brooklyn.