By Sarah Ryley
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) announced Tuesday the selection of Forrest R. Taylor as ombudsman for the Atlantic Yards arena and high-rise project.
The ESDC promised to hire an ombudsman in April, following the partial collapse of the Ward Bakery during asbestos abatement, to act as a liaison between the agency, elected officials and the public in addressing concerns related to construction. Construction is expected to last at least 10 years.
Among other things, Taylor will handle questions and complaints, and regularly brief the community and elected officials on the progress of the project.
The ESDC did not respond to an inquiry regarding Taylor’s salary in time for publication.
Most recently, Taylor served as manager of Prowess Initiatives and Analysis, a member of the National Minority Business Council. Prowess is a “government relations consulting firm that advises corporations on political, governmental affairs and public relations issues,” according to the Web site. Previous positions held include: Chief of Staff for City Council Speaker Gifford Miller, deputy director for operations at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and deputy press secretary for Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
According to an article in The New York Times, City Council officials said in 2004 that Taylor resigned from Miller’s office after his request for a raise, from an annual salary of $175,000, was turned down. In the article, Miller said Taylor had helped lead the Council through a fiscal crisis and oversaw the passage of landmark legislation.
“This ombudsman position provides an opportunity for me to draw on all of my experiences in and out of government and is an exciting next step forward in the state’s effort to increase the public’s connection to this important and transformative project,” said Taylor in a statement.
Taylor, who assumed his post on Monday according to the ESDC, “will be based in a to-be-established office in the Atlantic Yards project area, providing easy access for local officials and community members.”
© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2007
All materials posted on BrooklynEagle.com are protected by United States copyright law.
Just a reminder, though -- It’s not considered polite to paste the entire story on your blog. Most blogs post a summary or the first paragraph,( 40 words) then post a link to the rest of the story. That helps increase click-throughs for everyone, and minimizes copyright issues.
So please keep posting, but not the entire article. arturc at att.net
Main Office 718 422 7400
