from Dictionary.com:
shame: the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, ridiculous, etc., done by oneself or another: She was overcome with shame.
Today, Forest City Ratner, the developer of the proposed Atlantic Yards development in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, completed its “master closing” with New York state, city and various and assorted other agencies. CEO Bruce Ratner reportedly signed 640 separate documents at the meeting this morning. Wasting no time, Forest City Ratner erected signage at the site of the proposed Barclays Center arena trumpeting this milestone:
Atlantic Yards Wall of Shame
Unfortunately, I doubt that any of the fat cats involved in this “public-private partnership” are experiencing any “painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper.” I wonder if this is because they actually believe that what they’re doing is honorable and proper, or if the lack of shame is because they aren’t conscious of their actions? Clearly, Bruce Ratner shows no shame. From the Forest City Ratner press release:
“Today, what has long been a vision for the future of Brooklyn (who’s vision?) becomes a reality,” Mr. Ratner said. “Six years after we announced our plan for Atlantic Yards we are very pleased to be closing on the project with our public partners. Today’s closing represents a vital step forward for New York City, one that is all the more important because of the economic challenges our City faces. The jobs we are creating today, as we set forth on the arena and one of the boldest affordable housing initiatives in our City’s history, will create a new dynamic center in this wonderful borough.”
At a time of enormous economic challenges, a housing crisis, transportation and education cut-backs and a healthcare crisis, it’s shameful that a billionaire developer, along with a billionaire Russian oligarch, can compel the state of New York to use eminent domain for the construction of what would be the most expensive ($1 BILLION) arena in U.S. history, along with acres of surface parking lots. Worse still is that Forest City Ratner is using our money (direct and indirect subsidies and tax breaks from the city and state) for what New York’s Independent Budget Office calculates will be a money-losing arena. Add to this the fact that the “bold affordable housing initiative” definitely won’t happen until after the arena is built, if ever, and that the jobs it creates most likely won’t pay enough for the workers to actually afford to live in Atlantic Yards. Then there’s the no-bid, lowball price Forest City Ratner is paying to develop over the MTA rail yard (while the MTA cries that it’s broke and must cut services and raise fares), along with a generous financing agreement for the next 22 years. Not to mention some signs of not-so-above-the-board dealings of state agencies tasked with protecting the interests of the citizens they are (supposedly) duty-bound to represent.
Forest City Ratner is a for-profit development corporation, so I’m not surprised by its actions in all of this. Those who should really be having a “painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper” are those who are supposed to be watching out for those they supposedly represent: former Governors Pataki and Spitzer, Governor Paterson, Senator Schumer, Mayor Bloomberg, Borough President Marty Markowitz, and all the other Atlantic-Yards-cheerleading elected officials.
Advertisement
