In all the discussions about developing the Vanderbilt Yards (commonly called "Atlantic Yards"), most of the media coverage portrays the controversy as being a choice between Ratner or no development. That is a false choice based on Ratner propaganda. Truth is, there are FOUR proposals for development of the area, including Ratner's low-bid, corrupt, no-business-plan proposal. Yes...FOUR plans. Many have never heard of the other plans, which is just how Ratner's three stooges, Pataki (now out of the picture), Bloomberg and Markowitz, wanted it. For those who want to learn about the other three plans, you can find an analysis of them on the Develop, Don't Destroy Brooklyn website (left hand side under "Community-Based Plans").

One of those Community-Based Plans, the Unity Plan, really was designed with full community input, led by Councilwoman Letisha James. This is an idea that really should be seen more: the community working out its OWN vision for development with government USING that vision as a guide for actual development. If you like the idea of COMMUNITY-based development, you can be a part of making the Unity Plan a reality. This comes from Develop, Don't Destroy Brooklyn:

UNITY 2007 -- It's Not a Done Deal
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In 2004, Councilmember Letitia James brought together hundreds of community members and local architects, planners and designers to develop an alternative to the proposed Forest City Ratner "Atlantic Yards" project. The result was the UNITY Plan and a set of Planning Principles, which reflect community needs, priorities and vision for the development of the Vanderbilt Yards.

With lawsuits pending and opposition to the project growing, Forest City Ratner's plan is anything but a done deal. What if the project is not built? What if it's only partially built? Then what?

The time is right to create the UNITY 2007 Plan, an updated and comprehensive blueprint for the future of the Vanderbilt Yards, developed for, and by, the residents of Brooklyn.

Unity 2007
An all-day workshop to create a community-driven development plan for Brooklyn's Vanderbilt Yards

April 28, 2007
10 am -- 4 pm
Hanson Place United Methodist Church
144 Saint Felix Street at Hanson Place. Brooklyn, NY

By Subway: 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, R to Atlantic/Pacific

Bring your own brown-bag lunch
Registration 9:30 – 10 am
RSVP by April 25 to ccpd@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-650-3328

The success of UNITY 2007 depends on broad public input.

Please join us for this important community-planning event.
Bring your neighbors, your friends and your family.

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