Bruce Ratner is trying to get some Stimulus money to line his own pockets...even though he has in essence taken his affordable housing promise off the table for the forseeable future. This audacity, thought people like Bloomberg and Markowitz may happily let Ratner take even more taxpayer money, has pissed off a pretty wide range of local politicians. I received this from Tish James' office, but it has been signed by several Brooklyn polticians:

March 3, 2009

Honorable David A. Paterson
Governor of the State of New York
The Executive Chamber, State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Paterson:

We are writing regarding reports that Forest City Ratner is requesting funds from the Federal stimulus package for the Atlantic Yards Project. We request that any application or other submitted documents to the Governor’s office related to the stimulus package be immediately disclosed to the public and the elected officials signing this letter.

In addition, there should be a public hearing and opportunity for public comment on any application for funds. We also request a meeting with responsible state officials prior to any decision on the use of stimulus funds for Atlantic Yards. It is our understanding that neither the M.T.A. nor the Empire State Development Corporation has submitted the Atlantic Yards project to your office as part of any list of projects for the use of Federal stimulus funds. This indicates that Atlantic Yards is not considered a priority by these agencies at this time.

It is regrettable that the State of New York, in cooperation with the developer, chose to override New York City’s zoning and land use laws for the Atlantic Yards project, depriving local community boards, the Brooklyn borough board, and the New York City Council, of what would have been their legal right to vote on the Atlantic Yards project. As a result, the project has never been vetted through the traditional democratic land use processes available to the community and the people of the City of New York.

Many events have occurred which have created uncertainty and risk regarding the 8 million square foot development approved by the State in December 2006. The original economic and financial assumptions upon which the approval was based have dramatically changed. At a meeting with elected officials in December, Forest City Ratner stated that it hopes to be able to finance the arena

this summer, notwithstanding the economic climate, if current litigation against the project is unsuccessful. If it is unable to finance the arena, it has not yet committed to proceeding with a residential development. This is hardly a basis for the State to commit additional funds without a full public discussion process.

We hope your office will be quickly forthcoming with the requests we have made. Thank you.

Sincerely,

NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery, 18th S.D.
Assemblymember James F. Brennan, 44th A.D.
Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries, 57th A.D.
Assemblymember Joan Millman, 52nd A.D.
Council Member Letitia James 35th C.D.
Council Member David Yassky 33rd C.D.
District Leader 52nd A.D. Jo Anne Simon

I should note that at least one local Congressman, Mike McMahon of Brooklyn and Staten Island, has also come out against giving rich Ratner money meant to help working class and middle class Americans:

“The tax cuts in this bill are not for the rich, but for the middle class,” he said. “The stimulus invests in schools, highway and road construction and, most important, mass transit. The vision here, for the first time, is to have the federal government invest in mass transit, as it should...

"The priority is fixing train stations and getting ferry service from Bay Ridge to Manhattan,” he said. “I do not see Atlantic Yards as a priority for the money from this package.”