Civic News

Rally

Next Saturday, May 3, at 2 pm, two groups to which the Civic Council belongs - Brooklyn Speaks and the Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods – will join Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, community leaders and elected officials to call for a time out on all activities involving the proposed, multi-billion-dollar development known as Atlantic Yards.

The rally will take place at 752 Pacific St., between Carlton and Vanderbilt Avenues, in the heart of the Atlantic Yards footprint.

"Recent developments in the financial markets and statements by the developer have called the entire project into question," said Terry Urban, co-chair of the Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods. "The public benefits are in question and the only thing remaining seems to be an arena! This is not the project that was approved. Meanwhile, our neighborhoods are being blighted by unnecessary demolitions for a project that seems to be disappearing or drastically postponed. Everything needs to immediately stop while this is reviewed."

The three sponsoring organizations (DDDB, CBN and Brooklyn Speaks) represent thousands of New Yorkers and have had differing perspectives on issues raised by the massive, proposed development. "Despite our diverse views regarding the development of the Vanderbilt Yards," Urban continued, "the community has come together to hold this rally because we all agree that it is simply wrong to allow the continued destruction of our neighborhoods when the developer has admitted that the project can't be delivered as promised."

The following elected officials have confirmed attendance: Assemblywoman Joan Millman, Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, Councilwoman Letitia James, Councilman Bill de Blasio, Councilman David Yassky and Councilman Tony Avella. State Senator Velmanette Montgomery is hoping to attend, and Assemblyman Jim Brennan, who has an unavoidable conflict, hopes to send a representative.

- Eric McClure, Trustee