NYPD Mobilizes to Atlantic Yards Groundbreaking Protest

Protesters march toward ground breaking, courtesy Curbed

It's really happening: After dogged protest and a series of seemingly intractable lawsuits, developer Bruce Ratner is breaking ground right now on a new arena for the Nets, to be called Barclays Center. And the irate protests are continuing even as the ceremony—attended by Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg—takes place right now. In his speech, Borough President Marty Markowitz acknowledged the raucous demonstrators outside the press conference, but played it for laughs, saying, "Sorry about the noise outside. Obviously disgruntled Knicks fans." Ha ha, or people who are being forced out of their homes! We've heard over the police scanner that the NYPD is now calling for a "Level 3 Mobilization" (sounds serious!) to deal with the protesters.

After stopping by a pre-protest outside the doomed Freddy's Bar and Grill, Curbed followed them as they marched over to the site. Joey Arak is liveblogging from the media circus, where no expense has been spared to ply the press with succulent turkey and lobster roll sliders. Spike Lee is in the joint, as are Jay-Z and Rev. Al Sharpton. The proceedings began with an invocation, during which a reverend prayed for Paterson "as he is besieged on every side." Say what you want about the embattled Governor, he's still got his sense of humor, taking the mic with the comment, "Thank you, Reverend. I thought I was at my own funeral for a second."

22 families and companies in the project's footprint received letters last week informing them that if they don't leave voluntarily by April 3rd, they'll be forcibly evicted. Daniel Goldstein, a longtime opponent of the project whose condo was seized by eminent domain, tells the Daily News he won't leave until he gets a personal order from a judge: "It's a meaningless letter written ... to scare me."

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By John Del Signore in News on March 11, 2010 2:30 PM

Comments [rss]

whaaat

the traffic on atlantic avenue is shitty enough. they closed an entire street to build this bullshit. Brooklyn was doing fine without an arena.

lookatthedumbpeople

The mass transit in the area isn't up to the challenge either. Especially the LIRR that they must be deluding themselves into thinking can handle the kind of action out of Brooklyn that Penn Station sees from MSG.

Snoopy

Actually Brooklyn could use a venue that can support events other than the laughable Nets. That is where the money will come from to support the arena.

soxinthecity

55 years after the Brooklyn Dodgers won the World Series, it's great to see pro sports heading back to Brooklyn!

Gwinny

I saw Daniel Goldstein on NY1 this morning. WTF, the city just took his condo that he owns without giving him a cent for it??

Also, I've never paid much attention to Marty Markowitz before, but now I think he must be a douche based on the above.

jaycjay

I don't know what was said on NY1, but what he's been saying is that he's been told he'll be compensated $510,000. But he bought it for %$590,000 in 2003 -- and already turned down a higher offer -- so he doesn't think that's an adequate amount.

He hasn't been paid anything so far, because he hasn't moved out.

Good rundown on his story here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704576204574530161194721796.html

Gwinny

Ah thanks, that is very helpful info.

StedyRuckus

Professional sports team and arena in Brooklyn = Win

Over developing the area with office towers and residential towers (with a very ambiguous and unenforceable amount of "affordable housing") = Epic Fail

laisla

How is an arena a win? They never are. Why would this be any different?

Polite New Yorker

It should scare every American that in today's U.S.A., the government is at the beck and call of wealthy real estate speculators, who can use the government to seize your property and make it their own.

Snoopy

Brooklyn be needing the arena. The Nets are in it to win it!

Like a losing team like the Nets needs a new arena. They would have a hard time filling up a local YMCA in Scranton.

pal

it also goes to show you how stupid and out of touch spike lee and jay-z are.

devilducki

Yea. Wonder what Jay-Z would think if Eminent Domain was used to raze the Marcy Projects.

pal

"Sorry about the noise outside. Obviously disgruntled Knicks fans."

Marty thinks it's funny that people are offended by the fact that eminent domain has been misused for the selfish needs of some developers. he is just a big fat piece of walking shit.

whitecastlerock

Marty Markowitz is lower than whale shit. I hope he falls into an open manhole and vanishes forever

TooTallJeff

It'd be hard for him to fall into a manhole since he's driven everywhere. but I share your sentiment.

soundfreak

Just came from there. Lots of cops, probably more cops than protesters.

Sketto

I think I'm gonna invoke eminent domain to shut down that dusty, old, decrepit Metropolitan Museum. And then build myself a swank, modern pad right in Central Park. Yeeha. Democracy is fun!

sjack

whoops, got level 1 and three confused. Level 3 still isn't a huge deal, you'll get a few cops from each precinct in the area- a few dozen in all, if that.

sjack

level three mobilization isn't that big of a deal

John Del Signore

"Level 3 - Local Boro Precinct Personnel: This mobilization is usually called for incidents such as an MOS (Member of Service) being shot, an MOS being involved in an RMP (Radio Mobile Patrol car) accident, major explosion or building collapse. The local boro's Task Force, Major Case Squad, Anti-Crime, Narcotics, ESU & any other available units within the boro will respond forthwith to this particular incident."
Yeah, NBD. Just one level below the most serious LEVEL 4, which is basically the apocalypse!

synik

Thanks for your biased view John Del Signore. Now go ride 1 speed bike in your slim jeans and converse kicks.

TheKlaus

Buuuurrrnnnnn!!!

(just kidding)(that was a horrible attempt at a diss)(go ride 1 speed in skinny jeans?)(that is so WEIRD)(amiright?)

sjack

There's also a huge difference between calling a level 1, 2 AND 3 mobilization, and just calling a level 3. You'll notice that for just a level 3, task force isn't required to respond.

sjack

Also, that definition you're using is not accurate.

Level One Responding Borough Task Force

Level Two Task Force - City Wide

Level Three Local Borough Precinct Personnel

Level Four Precinct Personnel - City Wide

To truly get everyone to a mobilization, you would need to call a Level 2 and 4. A level 3 would actually get you less people than a Level 1 and 2, but they get there a lot faster.

jaycjay

"To truly get everyone to a mobilization, you would need to call a Level 2 and 4. A level 3 would actually get you less people than a Level 1 and 2, but they get there a lot faster."

No. Level 4 includes brings available personnel citywide, included task forces. Level 2 is only all task force personnel, but that group also responds to a Level 4.

As the linked page states, Level 2 is rarely used; that's for the reason you mention: it's quicker to get a Level 3 response from the local borough than to have TF personnel coming from all over the city.

Comic Book Guy

Psst... You're now commenting to yourself. No one cares!

sjack

If you consider 30-40 cops a huge deal, then yeah. ONE STEP SHORT OF THE APOCOLYPSE is overstating it a bit.

TheKlaus

It'd be great if there was a riot. People don't riot anymore. They just wear dumb t-shirts, carry dumb signs, and scream their dumb throats raw.