Atlantic Yards Ruckus

In the decade or so since big developers "discovered" Brooklyn, sections of our community have changed radically. Right now, one company's building plans are generating the biggest political ruckus seen here in decades.

Forest City Ratner Companies wants to erect Atlantic Yards, a 22 acre complex including offices, apartments and a professional basketball arena. If constructed, the $4.2 billion Frank Gehry-designed project will add 16 highrises and 7,000 units of housing to what is now an area of lowrises and brownstones.

It is a massive project mired in massive controversy. Tonight a public hearing on Altantic Yards was held at the New York City College of Technology in Downtown Brooklyn. Thousands of supporters and protesters arrived, trying to crowd into a room that held only 880 people. At one point, someone in the audience cried out that everyone was talking and no one was listening to each other. The speaker at the dais responded, "Welcome to New York City politics."


Member of the carpenter's union waits outside


The auditorium was packed


Standing room only


Document inspection

Forest City Ratner Companies

Atlantic Yards

Develop Don't Destroy

Atlantic Yards Report

No Land Grab

Fans For Fair Play

New York Magazine: Mr. Ratner's Neighborhood

New York Times: Blight, Like Beauty

New York Times: Raucous Meeting on Atlantic Yards