Tens of People Breathing Easier on Atlantic Yards Issue

If a political march is at the very least a representation of the population that supports the cause, then Brooklyn residents don't seem to be too concerned about potential plans for development of the Atlantic Yards project.

The argument over the construction of a new stadium for the Nets at the Atlantic Yards project has been taking place for a few years now, but somehow it has remained surprisingly low on the radar.

Maybe it has never really been an actual scare, or maybe the dedication of a select few Brooklyn residents has been enough to keep the project at bay.

The tens of people marching on Saturday for "Develop, Don't Destroy Brooklyn" seemed to be the only ones aware of the situation. As the crowd bullhorned around and through the Atlantic Yards area with the help of a small brass band and a large number of police escorts, passersby and local residents seemed utterly oblivious to the reason. There were few horns honking in support and a lot of sheepish grins.

At least the message was concise. Ratner's plan, with Bloomberg's support, was to house the Nets and at least 16 skyscrapers in the Prospect Heights/Park Slope area. DDDB is against it. Such plans would involve the demolition of multiple apartment buildings, including a sizable section of public housing.

If the building project does not begin by the end of this year, it will lose its tax exempt status and become too expensive to fund. It will still be a contested issue over the next couple months, but it's looking like Brooklyn will stave off its "Manhattanization" a while longer.