Markowitz Backs Out Of China Trip

Possibly due to quizzical looks over yet another all-expenses-paid trip, or possibly because the city Conflicts of Interest Board just said no, Brooklyn BP Marty Markowitz will not be joining Bruce Ratner on a trip to China to lure investors to the Atlantic Yards project through the EB-5 visa program. A spokesman told the Post that Markowitz "supports the group’s mission, wishes it great success and is confident the project will excite even more investors as it moves forward. Markowitz is apparently so bummed out about it that he couldn't even turn the situation into one of his signature puns. Yesterday's zinger will just have to hold us over that much longer.

[UPDATE] The Conflicts of Interest Board told us they ruled the trip permissible, but Markowitz will still "not be accompanying the group."

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By Jaya Saxena in News on October 5, 2010 5:28 PM

Comments [rss]

S.K.

Marty is the self-promoter of Brooklyn.

SteveFtGreene

Correction: According to the item in the Post, The Conflicts of Interest Board approved this trip for Markowitz.

John L

Markowitz, should stop sucking Ratner off for a second and ask him what happened to the affordable housing that was part of the deal. 6,000-plus units of affordable housing disappeared from the plans and all Markowitz can think of is going on another free trip.

justthinkin

Why do you think Marty was going to China? He was trying to get them to fund those 6,000 units. But he actually told them that it was only 3,000 units on the premise that they're used to doubling up.

crabbapple

That part of Brooklyn (5th Ave/ Atlantic/ Flatbush) is a total clusterf*%k since they started this project, with daily gridlock and accidents. No one who lives around there wants this project, and the developers went ahead with it to fill their own greedy pockets. I hope it goes banktrupt and something that will actually enhance the area will take its place.