Seems Ratner is halting work, at least for now, on his Atlantic Yards Overdevelopment Project. Remember when this was being called a "Done Deal?"

From a Develop, Don't Destroy Press Release:

BROOKLYN, NY— Developer Forest City Ratner has halted all work on the proposed Atlantic Yards project site in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. Specifically the developer has abruptly stopped work on building a new rail yard that would sit under a portion of development. The work stoppage was reported yesterday on the Atlantic Yards Report and today in the New York Daily News.

"Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards project is clearly in a dire financial situation. There is no other way to explain why the developer has halted work on the only part of his Atlantic Yards plan unencumbered by litigation. He is delaying his own project because of a serious lack of financing," said Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB) spokesman Daniel Goldstein."

Today was the rally calling for Bruce Ratner to put up or shut up. Brooklyn is getting tired of Ratner making promises then breaking those promises even as he demands more taxpayer money. The rally was well attended, though we came slightly late and were way at the back, so didn't really see the whole crowd.

Chris Owens, President of Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats and Brooklyn Progressive Activist, led the rally. Three groups organized the rally: Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn, The Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods, and Brooklyn Speaks. MANY local politicians attended, including some who had previously been pretty solidly behind Ratner. Ratner has worn out his welcome even among his supporters.

Here are some excerpts from the press release from the three organizing groups:

As tomorrow's big anti-Ratner rally approaches, bringing together not just Ratner's usual opponents but even some former supporters turned sour (e.g. Bill DeBlasio), new revelations are coming out about Ratner's broken promises and the city's willingness to let him get away with anything.

We now know that Bruce Ratner is trying to weasel out of the Affordable Housing part of the deal he made with the city. Affordable Housing was the excuse the city had to throw so much money (taxpayer money) at Ratner's feet. Bringing the Nets to Brooklyn was another excuse. Ratner is backing out of the first promise. Is he backing out of the second one as well? According to the Newark Star-Ledger, Bruce Ratner may be giving up on bringing the Nets to Brooklyn:

The owner of the Devils hockey team and Newark Mayor Cory Booker are seeking to assemble a group of investors to buy the Nets and move the basketball team to Newark, according to people familiar with the effort.

As Bruce Ratner goes public admitting he has no intention of fulfilling the promises he made to New York regarding affordable housing in his Atlantic Yards project, even former allies like Bill DeBlasio are now questioning just why New York City and New York State are giving him so much taxpayer money. On Saturday, May 3rd a major rally will be held where opposition will coalesce against Ratner. Among those sponsoring and publicizing this event are former supporters of Ratner, politicians who have previously been lukewarm in their opposition, and opposition groups that formerly didn't work together. In other words, Ratner may have finally shown his hand and all those who believed his promises or who weren't ready to take a strong stand now are feeling betrayed and angry. Saturday may be the beginning of the end for Ratner because for the first time I have seen the names of politicians who had been solidly, blindly behind Ratner cropping up among the opposition.

From DDDB (and about a dozen other sources!):

Community Groups, Elected Officials To Hold Major Rally To Demand Governor Paterson Call “Time Out” On Atlantic Yards Project

Tuesday, April 1, 7pm. Screening of Isabel Hill's Atlantic Yards documentary "Brooklyn Matters". Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School
357 Clermont Avenue, Brooklyn
(btwn. Greene & Lafayette Aves.). Co-sponsors: Society for Clinton Hill, The Fort Greene Association, and DDDB

This documentary has been very highly acclaimed. For example:

“It wasn’t until viewing Isabel Hill’s film that I realized the true scope of what is at stake for the future of Brooklyn in proceeding with the development of the Atlantic Yards in its present form.”
-Carmi Bee, FAIA, RKT&B Architects & Planners

“Brooklyn Matters is a remarkable film that slowly, quietly, calmly reveals the extreme ugliness at the heart of one of the most ill-conceived mega-development schemes in New York history.”
-Francis Morrone, Architectural Historian

"Isabel Hill’s revealing documentary about the proposed Atlantic Yards project takes an honest look at the complex role that race, class, power, and money play in the redevelopment of our communities and calls for a more open discussion about equitable urban development."

Well, it is now on record in court records. Ratner has lied to us about the so-called "benefits" of his Atlantic Yards project. In fact, it sure sounds to me like Ratner's lawyer has admitted that he lied under oath:

From the Brooklyn Papers:

Forest City Ratner now admits that its claim of a tax revenue windfall — a justification for the government’s support of the $4 billion project — was actually concocted by Ratner’s paid consultant, and was not based on an analysis by state officials as the developer repeatedly claimed.

“The $4.4 billion figure is in the report of a consultant who had been retained by [Forest City Ratner Companies] and does not appear in the state’s [Final Environmental Review Statement,]” said Ratner attorney Jeffrey Braun in a legal document that surfaced this week.

Braun himself previously stated in court that the $4.4 billion number came from the state.

I often wind up being focused on Brooklyn over development schemes, fighting such excessive plans as Atlantic Yards. But we have to remember that the entire city is plagued with these excessive development plans that destroy whole neighborhoods and benefit wealthy develpers more than communities. And, more often than not, they are shoved down our throats practically by force...or at least using the threat of eviction.

Harlem is another neighborhood threatened by overdevelopment that could destroy its historic character. As with Atlantic Yards, the Harlem development plan will displace lower and middle income families, driving them from the center of NYC and replacing them largely with luxury high rises.

VOTE People is a community organization that, in its own words:

...works to manifest the needs and intent of the people of communities in which policy and legal reform is proposed, through a holistic approach including legal and political advocacy and social and cultural movements.

Last Sunday was the 3rd Annual Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn Walkathon to celebrate my son's birthday. Okay...so it is only coincidental that it always happens around my son's birthday, but my son has now gone to three of these events. And he always drags us along with him.

Sunday was a beautiful day for a Walkathon. Turnout seemed quite good and the path of the walk was excellent for demonstrating solidarity with the community. Last year went through Prospect Park, which may have been nicer, but didn't really connect with the affected community. This year we started at Freddie's bar in the footprint of Bruce Ratner's giganormous, overdevelopment sinkhole for taxpayer money, went up Flatbush, around Grand Army Plaza, and over to Soda bar where a party ensued. I always tell people these events are really fun, and I think the fact that we started at a bar and ended at a bar is indicative of the fun factor of the walkathons.

I have written extensively about the lies and corruption surrounding Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards project. From Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn's Clown and whiny wannabe mayor of NYC, to Bloomberg and Pataki promising more and more land (at taxpayer expense) to Ratner in backroom deals, Ratner is surrounded by corruption.

Brooklyn Matters is a critically acclaimed documentary about the proposed Atlantic Yards project. Screenings have been ongoing throughout the city, particularly (not surprisingly) in Brooklyn.

“A powerful documentary by a well-respected filmmaker, Brooklyn Matters is a must see for all New Yorkers who care about the future of their neighborhoods and the role that public policy and process plays in determining that future.”
-Marilyn Gelber, Former Commissioner, New York City Department of Environmental Protection

“Of all the protesting voices and hundreds of thousands of words in opposition to the proposed Atlantic yards development, nothing is as convincing as isabel hill's excellent film."
-- Stuart Pertz, FAIA, Former Member of the New York City Planning Commission

Brooklyn Matters is the must see documentary about the "Atlantic Yards" project. Here are your chances to see it.

Upcoming Screenings of Brooklyn Matters:

Friday, June 15, 7pm.
Spoke the Hub Recreation Center
748 Union Street (btwn 5th and 6th avenues, closer to 6th), Bklyn
RSVP: 718-408-3234

Tuesday, June 19, 7pm.
Fifth Avenue Committee