UNITY Plan (Alternative to Ratner plan for Atlantic Yards)

dailyheights

Eric McClure of parkslopeneighbors.org sent in a report on last night's UNITY Plan presentation in Park Slope:

"More than 150 Park Slope residents turned out Monday evening at the Old First Reformed Church on Seventh Avenue for a community forum focused on the UNITY Development Plan for the Atlantic Railyards. The meeting, headlined by urban designer Marshall Brown's presentation of the UNITY Plan, also featured 11th Congressional District candidate Chris Owens and Columbia University Fellow Gustav Peebles."

"The forum, co-sponsored by Park Slope Neighbors (www.parkslopeneighbors.org) and Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn (www.developdontdestroy.org), also attracted representatives of Borough President Marty Markowitz, State Senators Velmanette Montgomery and Carl Andrews, and Council Member David Yassky."

"The discussion of the future of the railyards seemed to strike a nerve with Slope residents, many of whom expressed praise for the UNITY Plan, and concern about Forest City Ratner's proposal, during a lively Q&A session. A number of audience members also made generous donations to Develop Don't Destroy."

"If you're interested in hosting a presentation of the UNITY Development Plan in your neighborhood, please contact Lucy Koteen at [email protected]."

dailyheights

Subject: Go see the UNITY plan at the YWCA in Boerum Hill

BOERUM HILL ASSOCIATION
HOYT STREET ASSOCIATION

For Immediate ReleaseContact:
February 2, 2005Sue Wolfe (718) 858-3822 x 100


MARSHALL BROWN TO PRESENT "UNITY" PLAN TO BOERUM HILL COMMUNITY

The Boerum Hill Association and the Hoyt Street Association announced today that they will cohost a presentation by urban designer, Marshall Brown, on the "Unity" Plan — "Understanding, imagining and transforming the Atlantic Yards".

The presentation of the concept plan — with time for questions from the community — will be held on Wednesday, February 16th at the YWCA, 30 Third Avenue at 7:00 PM.

The Unity Plan presentation marks the first in a series of events planned by the Atlantic Yards Task Force of the Boerum Hill Association to educate the Boerum Hill community about various issues raised in planning for this site.

The Unity Plan is the product of the Atlantic Yards Development Workshop, a day-long community planning session hosted in the spring of 2004 by City Council member Leticia James. According to Marshall Brown, the Atlantic Yards Development WorkShop is “a collaborative association with a dual mission: transforming the Atlantic Yards site into a place that is culturally and economically productive is one part of the mission —transforming the development process is another."

Jo Anne Simon, is leading the BHA's Task Force. She explained, "We hope to educate the community with this series of events. We support smart growth — development that makes sense and that is consistent with the needs and sensibilities of the host communities. To that end, we support a broad process of meaningful public participation. After all, the better educated the communities, the better the product for everyone."

Margaret Cusack, President of the Hoyt Street Association noted, “We have all worked hard to make our neighborhoods reflect the broad diversity that makes them special — racial, economic, vocational, as well as cultural. We seek area development that reflects the core values of our communities.”

Forest City Ratner Corporation has also been invited to make a presentation and to show the model of its plans for the Atlantic Yards site. The Association hopes to announce a date soon.

BHA President and task force member, Sue Wolfe said, “Stay tuned. Our next event will be an evening for the community to hear from a panel of experts speaking on traffic and transportation infrastructure; financing; and urban planning issues. We hope everyone will join us.”

The Boerum Hill Association also plans to host speakers on topics such as environmental impacts, eminent domain, contextual design, zoning and land use, and others. Visit the BHA website at: www.boerumhillbrooklyn.org.



The BHA Atlantic Yards Task Force consists of Jo Anne Simon, chair, George Cambas, Heloise Gruneberg, Regina Kelly, Nancy Schuh, Patricia Smith, James Vogel, Rose Weber and Sue Wolfe. For further information, please contact Jo Anne Simon at (718) 8523528 or Sue Wolfe at (718) 8583822, Ext. 100


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