Gothamist: Markowitz "Bought and Paid For" by Atlantic Yards Developer, Critic Says

Jane121

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 09:24:41 -0500

Hi This is very funny picture & the comments are also very nice. Nice Blog. ===================================== Jane Link Building

SteveFtGreene

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 06:08:38 -0500

Actually, the FAR for most of Atlantic Yards is more like 12. I don't know how Polemecist came up with the average FAR of 7, perhaps the proposed arena and open spaces helped bring the average down. Also, building B1 of the project (formerly "Miss Brooklyn") does, in fact, have a larger footprint than the Williamsburg Bank building and would be more dense. A more complete discussion of the FAR issue may be found here: http://timesratnerreport.blogspot.com/2006/02/too-tall-and-too-dense-atlantic-yards.html I could go on criticizing Plemicist's vague post (congestion in that area is mild? Puh-leeze!), but suffice it to say that he, like many proponents of the project, mislead in order to make the project seem palatable. Public subsidies that would be needed to build this project are ill-advised, particularly, at this time, and especially when the public has never been allowed to have any oversight of the project itself. Simply saying that, because a project is large, it must be good is wishful thinking. A good example of the illusory nature of the supposed Atlantic Yards benefits can be found here: http://atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2006/03/6-billion-lie-why-ratners-fiscal-claim.html

firewire

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:09:03 -0500

If someone slapped her on the back while she made that face, she would be stuck in that expression forever.

Polemicist

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:54:34 -0500

One can't buy a public official who has no executive, judicial, or legislative power. EmilyDickinson: The Atlantic Yards development has an average floor area ratio of 7.0, less than most of Manhattan and similar to pretty much the entirety of the Upper East Side. It is also much less than certain clusters of multi-family high rises like what is found in Brooklyn Heights or even Grand army Plaza. It is much less than say the area around Grand Central Station or Times Square. Not a single building will be anywhere close to the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Building in terms of density (It has a FAR of over 25). The congestion, compared to other parts of the city, is actually fairly mild. As someone who lives half a mile away from the site and who bikes to work almost every day, I am thrilled we are finally going to get a lot of new development in an area that has barely seen a thing since the Great Depression. Now, more than ever, we need more new housing in this city. If NYC is to recover, we must broaden the tax base and lower rents through increasing supply - it is the only way we can remain competitive. If you are are all concerned with ensuring we have a thriving economy and can continue to care for the millions of people on public assistance in this town, it is your interest to support this project.

NannyState

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:54:09 -0500

Maybe Frank Gehry can design a "World Class, cutting edge" duncecap for this stooge.

Barbj8

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:42:38 -0500

If she hates cake, why is she trying to swipe the icing with her pinkie finger?

emilydickinson

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:04:47 -0500

I'm not against development in any sane way, but The Atlantic Yards project is many, many times too big for that slice of land. That is one of the most congested areas anywhere in the city - it's torture trying to walk, bike, drive or bus anywhere near that area. How does it make sense to shoehorn in even more people?

Toby von Meistersinger

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:52:58 -0500

Markowitz was severely traumatized by the Dodgers leaving and has never fully recovered. Ratner, who should go back to Cleveland, took advantage of this with his development scheme cloaked in a professional sports team.

JRod5417

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:32:07 -0500

Looks like she got caught making faces at him on camera. She is my hero...for today.

Polite New Yorker

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:28:51 -0500

You would have to be either certifiably insane or on the take to support the Atlantic Yards project. Both Ratner and Markowitz are an embarrassment to the city.

Ph

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:16:33 -0500

Whats up with that chick on the left. "RAAAAAAARRRGH! CAKE!" Jim Gaffigan would be proud.

Think twice

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:53:48 -0500

He became Ratner's bitch when he begged Ratner to fulfill his sappy, sentimental wet dream of having a pro-ball team back in Brooklyn.

hulaedwyn

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:40:11 -0500

Marty: Proud to be a tool.

WorksInDUMBO

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:32:47 -0500

she hates cake.

smokedgouda

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:28:10 -0500

In this market, you would have to be certifiably insane to be against any development (ie. investment) going on.

MT

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:23:26 -0500

I'll be the first to say it. WHAT is up with that woman's face behind him?!?