Weekly Digest: Video Evidence Proves Barclays Center Bus Numbers Bogus
A lot more were parked, idling, near the arena. Meanwhile, lobbying continues. Related considers Pacific Park "a great opportunity," but with "a lot of moving parts." That's an understatement.
This 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 and elsewhere.
It’s a testament to the diminished role of journalism and the diminished attention to the Barclays Center that dozens of buses could inundate the streets around the arena last Sunday for a late-scheduled Catholic service, and nobody but me would ask questions.
Even if they had permission for buses to park on Atlantic Avenue outside the MTA’s Vanderbilt Yard, did those buses have permission to double-park, park at hydrants, park at bus stops, and idle for more than three minutes? Surely, no.
Nobody was eager to explain. The Brooklyn Diocese deleted a tweet, which listed a public relations contact; he demurred and sent me to a phone number in Newark, which got me nowhere.
How many buses, exactly?
A spokesperson for the arena claimed that organizers used “20-30 buses to transport guests,” with many “redirected to park at a different location,” but permits allowed “a few of the buses to park around the arena as needed.”
So that means a fraction of 30 buses might have been parked near the arena? Well, the videos I published showed more than 60 buses. They also showed a police presence, with the cops letting the violations go.
It was another example of how the arena’s a very tight fit, and the events that confound neighbors are more likely one-offs that draw many buses, rather than Brooklyn Nets games with fans who know to use public transit.
From this newsletter
No, I didn’t publish a big-picture article in this newsletter or elsewhere, but rest assured, more is coming. I promise.
From Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Report
July 9: In 2014, questionable Adams advisor Winnie Greco's bombastic claim, in her email sig, to be Brooklyn's "Director, China-U.S. Affairs Department.”
July 10: Former ESD Atlantic Yards Director Jaiyesimi lands at lobbying powerhouse Kasirer, which represents Pacific Park developer. But she won't lobby on Atlantic Yards.
July 11: Greenland lobbying update from Kasirer report: "advocate on General Project Plan development" (which could mean a lot).
July 12: What happened last Sunday around Barclays Center? Arena says a fraction of "20-30 buses" for Catholic service parked nearby. Videos show 60+, many idling.
July 13: Related Chief Executive Blau: talks regarding Pacific Park "have a lot of moving parts," but "could be a great opportunity." Those are both understatements. But keep watch on Related, which could wind up controlling the six tower sites over the Vanderbilt Yard.