While the Empire State Development Corp. was getting ready to begin its hearing at City Tech’s Klitgord Auditorium on the modified project plan for Forest City Ratner’s Atlantic Yards proposal, anti-Ratner protesters assembled outside, including a virtual “who’s who� of Downtown Brooklyn officials and political hopefuls. Seen here are, left-right: public advocate candidate Norman Siegel; Dan Goldstein of Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn; and Councilwoman Letitia James.

Speakers stressed that the new plan provides only a small number of the affordable housing units promised in the original plan; that a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement is needed; and that many details of the revised plan haven’t been made public.

James said that “it’s time to end the Atlantic Yards,� and called the hearing “a public hearing for the phantom project.� Assemblyman Jim Brennan added that since Atlantic Yards was first proposed, the Long Island Railroad yards “could have been built over already� with a more appropriate project that also would have provided jobs.

Later in the day, a pro-Atlantic Yards rally was scheduled for Jay and Johnson streets. Speakers, including Borough President Marty Markowitz and officials from ACORN, Partnership for NYC, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and various trade unions, emphasized job creation and affordable housing.

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