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."  read more »

The Develop, Don't Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB) website lists, just in time for the holidays, all the businesses that have been supportive of their efforts to preserve Brooklyn. Here's that list below:

RESTAURANTS AND BARS:

7th Avenue Donuts Luncheonette (Park Slope)
Diner fare and fresh baked donuts.
324 Seventh Avenue (between Eighth and Ninth Street)
(718) 768-0748

Al Di La Trattoria (Park Slope)
Park Slope’s perpetually packed, widely-acclaimed Venetian institution.
248 Fifth Avenue (Near Carroll Street)
(718) 852-1572
www.aldilatrattoria.com
(I can personally vouch for this one. Absolutely excellent! The sage butter gnocchi and the saltamboca (sp?) are among the best as is their frozen cappuccino).

Antonio's Pizzeria (Park Slope)
Pizza since 1950.
318 Flatbush Avenue (between Park & Sterling Place)
(718) 398-2300

Bacchus Bistro (Boerum Hill/Cobble Hill)
French bistro.
409 Atlantic Avenue (between Bond & Nevins Street)
(718) 852-1572
www.bacchusbistro.com

Beast Bar (Prospect Heights)
A unique take on Spanish tapas, and bar.
638 Bergen Street (at Vanderbilt Avenue)
(718) 399-6855  read more »

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:  read more »

Tis the season to consume. Of course there are two ways to consume: shop at those awful soulless malls owned by people like Bruce Ratner who doesn't give a rat's ass about community, or shop at local businesses run by your neighbors and friends. I admit it. I have done my share of shopping at big chain stores. But when you get to know the owner and the store is part of your neighborhood, it just feels better shopping there.

Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, the group that has been at the forefront of defending Central Brooklyn from overdevelopment, is highlighting the community based businesses that support them as a way to say "thank you" for that support. Here is the list: (after the break)  read more »