“ New York is a city in constant structural transition. But not since the height of Robert Moses’ building frenzy have we had so many large scale development ideas. Robert Moses did more than anyone else for the development of New York City , but he also made several big mistakes that have haunted us ever since.
I hope we have learned from Moses’ mistakes, and that we proceed thoughtfully in making more concrete our current plans for development across the five boroughs.
One of the most exciting and controversial plans currently being discussed is the Forest City Ratner plan for Downtown Brooklyn. The City Planning Commission has already recognized that this area is the next development hot-spot, and Ratner’s plan builds on this recognition.
The Atlantic yard site, where Ratner proposes to construct an arena, housing and commercial space, has historically been a problematic development site.
Although there have been many development ideas, none have come to fruition.
Now Forest City Ratner has come up with a mixed-use development proposal specifically for this site. The plan is encouraging but the downside of the plan reminds me of Robert Moses’ greatest development error.
That error, which for decades was a black mark of large scale development, was and is the forced removal of families from their homes.
And that is the major problem, and the one that causes me the greatest concern with Forest City Ratner’s plan.
Look, let’s be clear: there is a positive history associated with this builder and there are many positive components to his plan.
Forest City Ratner has had success in downtown Brooklyn development. Pierrpont Plaza was the first office building built in a quarter century. Ratner has a history of working with people in the communities he builds, his projects have attracted companies and created jobs, and most importantly, he has a track record of being the non-Moses in his use of eminent domain.
And the plan itself is a good plan. This development could bring about good use to this prime, but severely underused site.
The housing component of this plan is undoubtedly the most important aspect. This area is already a very desirable place to live. An additional 4,500 units of housing, which I understand the developer has committed to, would be welcome not just to this area, but to the whole city, which suffers greatly from a lack of housing.
More importantly, Forest City Ratner has committed to affordable and middle-income housing. They should make affordable housing their priority.
The plan could also bring about commercial development and sorely needed jobs. We are talking about over 10,000 construction jobs and thousands of permanent jobs. It is my hope that these won’t simply be low-income, low-skill jobs, but will include jobs that provide opportunity for advancement and career development. I also want to be sure that that as many of these jobs as possible go to people within the community.
Forest City Ratner is also a union shop. That makes them responsible developers to the people whom they employ. They pay fair wages and provide good working conditions.
Another positive, thoughtful component of the plan is the planned community uses for the Nets arena.
And, finally, this development site is located in an ideal, and excellent transit hub, that connects subways, the Long Island Rail Road and buses.
All these things make the plan sound good, but before I give this project my personal green light, I want the following assurances:
I want the people being affected most by this development – the residents who currently live at the planned development site, to be protected to the greatest extent possible.
I want assurance of a real component of affordable and middle income housing.
I want to maximize public space and make sure that Forest City Ratner takes into account local needs. They need to work with local residents, the churches and other institutions in the community to better understand what the community needs.
I want everything possible done to ensure that retail space and job opportunities are first opened up to local area residents.
And I want the MTA to be compensated for their development rights and for that compensation to be used to stave off a fare hike for our transit users.
This plan can have a positive economic impact for Brooklyn and the city. It can further enhance the other developments currently ongoing and planned for Brooklyn .
But we must not forget, or overlook the impact on the families who are being threatened with eviction so that this plan can move forward.
And, so, in closing, I am offering my office to broker real dialogue between the developer and the residents who will be impacted. I have already had conversations with both the developer and the residents and will continue to work towards a positive resolution for all.
Thank you.
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