This is a critical juncture for the "Atlantic Yards" project, and Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn believes that it’s hugely important that Brooklynites show Governor Paterson just how concerned they are about it.
OTBKB says: if you come to only come to one Atlantic Yards rally…this is the one to come to (and bring your friends!) Here’s the announcement from DDDB:
We urge you to find a way to give just one hour of your time this Saturday to attend this community rally (Please bring signs to Saturday’s rally, see below):
Community Rally On Atlantic Yards Called For
May 3rd, 2 PM
752 Pacific Street
(near Carlton Avenue)
in the "footprint" of the proposed project.
See you there!
Call a Time Out on the Atlantic Yards Bait and Switch:
A Community Rally to Tell Governor Paterson to Halt the Atlantic Yards Project
A major community rally will be held Saturday, May 3, 2pm at 752 Pacific Street. The Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods, Brooklyn Speaks, and Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn will join with community leaders and elected officials in calling for a freeze on all Atlantic Yards activities. The three sponsoring organizations represent thousands of New Yorkers that have had differing perspectives on issues raised by the Atlantic Yards proposal, but all agree that the current state of affairs is intolerable.
The following elected officials have confirmed attendance: NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery, NYS Assemblywoman Joan Millman, NYS Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, NYC Councilwoman Letitia James, NYC Councilman Bill Deblasio, NYC Councilman David Yassky, NYC Councilman Tony Avella.
DDDB has always maintained that Atlantic Yards is not a feasible project. Recent developments in the financial markets and statements by the developer have made that certain, and call the entire project and its purported public benefits into question. The only thing currently with a timeline is the arena and its luxury skyboxes and acres of demolished vacant lots. Meanwhile our neighborhoods are being blighted by unnecessary demolitions for a project that is now a big unknown.
DDDB’s position remains the same as it has from the beginning—the project is bad for many reasons from process to finance to design, and we oppose it. The project should be scrapped; it’s time for a new plan to develop the rail yards in a democratic, fair and responsible way with genuine community participation.
So come on out on May 3rd — bring your friends, join your neighbors, fellow New Yorkers, elected officials and community leaders in telling Governor Paterson to stop eminent domain, stop demolitioins, stop subsidies and halt Ratner’s plan.