POSTCARD FROM THE SLOPE_Just Like in the Movies

I know it's not over yet. But the recent news from the Atlantic Yards is starting to feel an awful lot like the feel-good ending of a Frank Capra movie.

Just hours before the deadline, the Extell Development Company entered an 11th-hour proposal to the MTA for their 8.5-acre Atlantic Avenue Rail Yards.

Brooklyn community groups and politicians are greeting the new plan with  ‘cautious optimism.' "From what we've seen of the Extell Development Company's plan," said Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn (DDDb) spokesman, Daniel Goldstein, "it appears to respond to the desires of this community. Their bid appears to meet many of the principles the community has established for developing the Yards."

Indeed, Extell's plan is quite different from Bruce Ratner's. According to DDDB's Goldstein, "It respects the existing communities, doesn't rip off taxpayers, doesn't displace residents and businesses, and is much more within the context of the surrounding neighborhoods. In addition, Extell is offering to go through the inclusive and multi-leveled City land use review process (ULURP), which means that—far from being a backroom sweetheart deal, like Bruce Ratner wants—Extell's proposal would have real community input, oversight by Community Boards and City Planning, and be voted on by our City Council."

It appears that the Extell plan provides for affordable housing, jobs for minority- and women-owned contractors, a new community center or school and significant amounts of open parkland."  Importantly, Extell's buildings wouldn't be over 29 stories as opposed to the 50-60 story buildings in Bruce Ratner's proposal.

Finally, an alternative to Ratner's bid. Ratner, even his name sounds like something Capra might come up with for the "evil mogul developer."

It is a happy day for Develop Don't Destroy, the activist group that has been fighting this real estate Goliath for months. The entry of Extell means that there is hope that downtown Brooklyn will not be overtaken by oversized towers.

Anything could happen at this point. It ain't over til it's over. The Capra movie still has one reel to go. God knows, Ratner is backed by big  money and big political might. But maybe, just maybe, this Extell bid will be accepted and the scale and contextuality of Brooklyn will not be compromised.

It doesn't hurt to dream.

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