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12/14/2004

Grassroots Brooklyn development plan would avoid displacement

Atlantic Yards Development WorkShop (AYDWS)

A grassroots plan, AYDWS, has been proposed as part of a collaborate community effort, to develop the Atlantic Avenue Rail Yard in Brooklyn NY. This land, which is about 20 ft below grade level, is currently unused except for the daily passage of a few commuter trains. AYDWS was formed to discuss the best utilization and process for the property.

Forest City Ratner Corp has proposed to incorporate this area, along with a swath of adjoining property, into a development including an arena for the Nets and four residential towers. Community people claim this proposal will require considerable displacement of homes and business on land taken by eminent domain, and will also result in traffic congestion problems. The AYDWS approach, they say, will utilize the below-grade rail yards to increase the amount of retail space available, while lowering the height of residential buildings, adding "green" space as well as areas for recreational use, opening rather than closing streets and — most importantly — avoiding the need to take property by eminent domain. AYDWS does not include the Nets' arena.


Atlantic Yards Development Workshop:
http://developdontdestroy.org/public/UNITY.pdf

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