Weekly Digest #8: Legislators' Questions, Evasive Answers
Empire State Development CEO waves away Atlantic Yards doubts; also, showdown soon for a nearby spot rezoning.
This weekly digest offers a way for people to keep up with my Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Report blog, as well as my other coverage in this newsletter.
This week, two Brooklyn Assemblymembers, Jo Anne Simon and Bobby Carroll, tried to ask tough questions about Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park of Hope Knight, CEO of Empire State Development, the state authority that oversees/shepherds the project.
But they didn’t get very far. Given a pending foreclosure auction regarding six development sites over the MTA’s Vanderbilt Yard, Knight asserted that “we're working with the lender to figure out who will step in as a designated developer.” She had no progress to report, however.
Also, Knight punted on whether the state would impose fines for the missing 876 (or 877) units of affordable housing required by May 2025, even suggesting that existing market-rate housing might be made affordable. That can’t work, for multiple reasons, including the fact that developer Greenland USA doesn’t own enough units.
Another passing
Also note: the passing of Al Butzel (links to Atlantic Yards-related video), attorney for the BrooklynSpeaks coalition, who, in a lawsuit later combined with one filed by Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn, got a state judge to require a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to assess the impact of a 25-year project buildout, not the ten-year one long professed.
More on his life and work here and here (though neither tribute cites Atlantic Yards).
From: Learning from Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park (Substack)
Jan. 29: Updating Key Infographics to Show Proper Scale. Thanks to graphic designer Ben Keel, we now have a better sense of the project as built, and approved. The buildings are, indeed, larger than previously portrayed.
From: Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Report
Jan. 30: With the collapse of Evergrande, other Chinese property developers under scrutiny; Greenland Holding, parent of Greenland USA, still struggling. Its stock price is in the tank.
Jan. 31: At legislative hearing, ESD CEO Knight claims they're seeking a new developer (how?) out of foreclosure, punts on fines for absent affordable housing.
Feb. 1: Magical thinking: Knight says developer Greenland might meet 2025 affordable housing deadline by converting existing market-rate units.
Feb. 2: Barclays Center releases February 2024 calendar: 17 ticketed events over 13 days.
Feb. 3: As 962 Pacific Street spot rezoning faces resolution Tuesday at City Council, with more affordability than (pending) Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan and likely big profit for applicant, will Council Member Hudson forge a deal?