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August 24, 2006
They're not booing, they're yelling "Hooooooooops!"
The proposed umpteen-billion-dollar Atlantic Yards project had its only scheduled hearing for public testimony yesterday, and well over 1,000 people turned out to give elected officials an earful about the plan, which would include a Brooklyn arena for the New Jersey Nets. The assembled speakers - those who got to speak, anyway, as the moderators cut off testimony after seven hours - mostly shed more heat than light on the topic, with union-t-shirt-clad construction workers and placard-waving local opponents trading boos and cheers throughout the evening.
You can read all about it in the Times, or in my report for the Village Voice "Power Plays" blog, or in Norman Oder's epic recap at Atlantic Yards Report. My favorite, though, might be Matthew Schuerman's 60-second version.
With dozens if not hundreds of people left waiting to testify, the state-run Empire State Development Corporation announced a second hearing on September 12 - which just happens to be the day of New York's primary elections. More booing is anticipated.
The brooklyn arena is basically finalized they will be playing in brooklyn.How do I know because the nets are looking for a practice facility on long island .The nets would have been better off playing on long island again and sharing the coliseum with the islanders. Any news on the giants-jets stadium issue.
Posted by dan on August 26, 2006 10:48 AM
None of us fighting Ratner's insane plan have heard about a practice facility on Long Island.
The project is far from "a done deal."
But let's say there are plans for a Long Island facility. That would put lie to Ratner's talk about making the Nets' practice gymn available for Brooklyn's disadvantaged youth.
That, and dozens of Ratner's other lies, have fizzled over the last 30 months.
Don't count on the "Brooklyn Nets" just yet.
Posted by Scott Turner on August 28, 2006 03:42 PM
The Nets should just move to Newark with the Devils and stop wasting time trying to get an arena built in Brooklyn.
Posted by Daniel F. on August 28, 2006 05:26 PM
The project is a done deal. Sorry guys most of the politicans are on his side. He does not want to move with the devils so forget about that idea. Like I said they were better off on long island but there headed to brooklyn. They will be in the new arena in 2009 or 2010
Posted by dan on August 28, 2006 09:32 PM