The arena and team helped get the project approved, but didn't leverage the jobs and housing. Decoupling ownership sacrificed cross-subsidization. The state could step in.
Excellent article. I remember Joanne Gonchar’s comment. While us small group of protesters marched around the site before eminent domain took it all we talked about just this point. The arena romance was being used to get the approval for subsidies and tax breaks without further guarantees. The pro arena pols like our borough president at the time piled onto that the “blighted” narrative as well.
Thanks for the reminder. Blight removal was also part of the package deal, at least as framed by the state (as opposed to Forest City Ratner), so I'll add that to the piece.
Excellent article. I remember Joanne Gonchar’s comment. While us small group of protesters marched around the site before eminent domain took it all we talked about just this point. The arena romance was being used to get the approval for subsidies and tax breaks without further guarantees. The pro arena pols like our borough president at the time piled onto that the “blighted” narrative as well.
Thanks!
Thanks for the reminder. Blight removal was also part of the package deal, at least as framed by the state (as opposed to Forest City Ratner), so I'll add that to the piece.