Nets finally break ground in Brooklyn
March 11, 2010
NEW YORK (AP)—Officials broke ground Thursday on a much-delayed 22-acredevelopment project that will bring the NBA’s New Jersey Nets to Brooklyn.
As protesters chanted and staged a mock funeral for the “soul” ofBrooklyn, supporters enjoyed a lavish spread catered by developer Bruce Ratner.
“Today is a great day for Brooklyn and for the soul of Brooklyn, which isvery much alive,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, the biggestcheerleader of the Atlantic Yards project since it was announced in 2003.
Markowitz joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Gov. David Paterson and hundredsof others at a ceremonial groundbreaking for the $4.9 billion project, which hasbeen delayed by lawsuits filed by residents fighting the use of eminent domain.
Supporters say Atlantic Yards will provide jobs and economic development.
“As the buildings rise on Atlantic Yards, the joblessness rate will fallright here in Brooklyn,” Paterson said, claiming the project would create16,000 construction jobs and 5,500 permanent jobs.
The 18,000-seat arena is to open in 2012, and construction will begin on thefirst of 16 residential and office buildings in 2011.
Last December, Ratner’s Forest City Ratner Cos. finalized a deal to sell 80percent of the Nets and 45 percent of the arena to Russian billionaire MikhailProkhorov.
Prokhorov was not at the groundbreaking, but entertainer Jay-Z, an investorin the team, said, “We did it again, Brooklyn.”
The officials spoke inside a tent at the groundbreaking site, while theprotesters shouted and blew whistles outside.
“What they’re going to build is a money-losing arena, maybe one or twotowers and acres and acres of parking,” said Daniel Goldstein, founder of thegroup Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn.
His wife, Shabnam Merchant, stood Thursday in front of their home, which hasbeen seized by the state to make way for the project, although they have yet toleave. She held her 16-month-old daughter and a sign that said: “You’recelebrating? We live here.”
The Rev. Al Sharpton, speaking at the groundbreaking, acknowledged thedispleasure of some community members but said he supported the project becauseit will provide jobs and contracts for minority business owners.
Supporters also say the project is a chance for Brooklyn to get aprofessional sports franchise for the first time since the Dodgers departed forLos Angeles after the 1957 season.
“Sadly, we lost our beloved bums, the Dodgers, 53 years ago,” Markowitzsaid.
But at 7-57, the current Nets are on a pace to set an NBA record for fewestgames won in an 82-game season, to which Bloomberg alluded.
“This really is such a huge win for the Nets,” Bloomberg said. “It’s ashame that it doesn’t count in the standings.”