So, remember how we told you the Atlantic Yards groundbreaking is a big deal? That’s because it’s a big deal. Governor David Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a whole host of Brooklyn bigwigs and even Jay-Z—a part-owner of the future Brooklyn Nets—are slated to be at the ceremony, slated for 1:30 this afternoon.They will be greeted by a throng of protesters who are planning their own groundbreaking—this one to, as they put it, “bury the soul of Brooklyn”—at 12:30 in front of a nearby bar.
The project has always attracted acres of press coverage, and this morning is no different. Daily News columnist Errol Louis has a piece in today’s paper, voicing support for Atlantic Yards. Though he says that “nearly no one on either side of the debate…thinks the process was fair, balanced and rational,” he still thinks the project can be a “marvelous benefit” for the borough.
On the other side, New York’s Chris Smith calls the project a “loser” for the city, noting that the state’s Independent Budget Office estimates that the city and the state will lose $219 million on the Yards over the next 30 years.
Rest assured, the Ink is all over this one. We will have reporters at both the protest and the groundbreaking, and will be updating throughout the day on the latest developments.
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