Spring Break
News From Around the Boroughs
Brian O'Connor
Issue date: 9/14/05 Section: News
RATNER DOUBLES ATLANTIC RAILYARD DEVELOPMENT OFFER TO $1 MILLION
Amid controversy over the Metropolitan Transportation's acceptance of Developer Bruce C. Ratner's low bid to develop the Atlantic Railyard in Brooklyn, a rival bid forced Ratner to double his bid to construct a Frank Gehry-designed basketball arena for the Nets, which plan to move across the Hudson River from New Jersey.
The newest bid, as reported by the New York Times, will give the MTA an additional $50 Million dollars to spend on improvements to the City's transportation grid that includes subways, commuter trains, and buses. A new rail yard would be added to the lot, as per the new agreement.
Ratner came under fire this summer after residents protested the planned demolition of nearby buildings under the policy of "imminent domain," which allows the city government to evict tenants and businesses from buildings seen as dilapidated or detrimental to the community. Critics accused the city of abusing this statue to clear space for Ratner's design for the rail yard.
The planned arena would cost about $555 million, and other buildings incorporated in the design would include 6,000 apartments, offices, and stores aimed at transforming the area into an affluent neighborhood.
DESPITE EVICTION NOTICE, CBGB CONTINUES HOSTING SHOWS
In a legal fight between Hilly Kristal, owner of the infamous Bowery club CBGB, and its landlord, the Bowery Resident's Committee, the club has fought to keep its doors open despite threats of eviction. As August came to a close, the BRC did not back down from it's position, forcing the club to shut its doors. Though the due date came and went, the club remains open, and its supporters vow to fight until the end.
"There is no valid reason why CBGB should leave our present historic location. We want to sit down with the BRC and negotiate in good faith a new lease that is fair to all parties," said Kristal.
The BRC claims that the club has not paid for back rent increases for many years, something Kristal responds as false claims, as the committee raised the club's rent without making any notification. In a court decision, CBGB was not claimed as responsible for making a $97,000 payment for unpaid rent.
Amid controversy over the Metropolitan Transportation's acceptance of Developer Bruce C. Ratner's low bid to develop the Atlantic Railyard in Brooklyn, a rival bid forced Ratner to double his bid to construct a Frank Gehry-designed basketball arena for the Nets, which plan to move across the Hudson River from New Jersey.
The newest bid, as reported by the New York Times, will give the MTA an additional $50 Million dollars to spend on improvements to the City's transportation grid that includes subways, commuter trains, and buses. A new rail yard would be added to the lot, as per the new agreement.
Ratner came under fire this summer after residents protested the planned demolition of nearby buildings under the policy of "imminent domain," which allows the city government to evict tenants and businesses from buildings seen as dilapidated or detrimental to the community. Critics accused the city of abusing this statue to clear space for Ratner's design for the rail yard.
The planned arena would cost about $555 million, and other buildings incorporated in the design would include 6,000 apartments, offices, and stores aimed at transforming the area into an affluent neighborhood.
DESPITE EVICTION NOTICE, CBGB CONTINUES HOSTING SHOWS
In a legal fight between Hilly Kristal, owner of the infamous Bowery club CBGB, and its landlord, the Bowery Resident's Committee, the club has fought to keep its doors open despite threats of eviction. As August came to a close, the BRC did not back down from it's position, forcing the club to shut its doors. Though the due date came and went, the club remains open, and its supporters vow to fight until the end.
"There is no valid reason why CBGB should leave our present historic location. We want to sit down with the BRC and negotiate in good faith a new lease that is fair to all parties," said Kristal.
The BRC claims that the club has not paid for back rent increases for many years, something Kristal responds as false claims, as the committee raised the club's rent without making any notification. In a court decision, CBGB was not claimed as responsible for making a $97,000 payment for unpaid rent.