Norman Oder

Watchdog journalist, writes Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Report (& more), about controversial #Brooklyn real estate project #BarclaysCenter #AtlanticYards

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

As I wrote in December 2012 (!):
“Atlantic Yards ‑ for now, an arena, with one tower slated to start construction on Dec. 18 ‑ should serve as a reminder that, as such complicated deals evolve, the public interest requires constant vigilance.”
https://t.co/ZVUHdGQbeA
Still true.

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

Would Joe Tsai's Slickest Move Be Poaching Ticketmaster Plaza?
https://t.co/piWWLhLnEJ
Keeping the branded plaza bolsters #BarclaysCenter operations & revenues.
@empirestatedev has more leverage than they admit. Why not map it as parkland & charge BSE Global a licensing fee?
1/

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

@chrissmithnymag @nahmias @NYCEDC MSG should pay taxes (which are *under*estimated by Dept of Finance, per IBO)
https://t.co/36QkNqSS09
So should operators of Barclays Center, Yankee Stadium, and CitiField
https://t.co/USq3xkZ7qO

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

"A push two years ago to compel" MSG to pay taxes "stalled amid a flurry of Knicks victories. The logic among lawmakers: not while the Knicks are winning."
https://t.co/4uOLEadyWD
But Dolan makes huge profits from playoff games.
That makes it EASIER to revoke the tax exemption.

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

Reckoning with the new documentary, "Rust & Reckoning: The Legacy of the Barclays Center"
https://t.co/n7J62yZU8d
Excited arena patrons and striking architecture vs. unfulfilled civic promises.
However, 20 minutes, filmed mostly in 2022, is too short, leaving crucial omissions.

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

@floor_per_area Various academics and advocacy groups (Pratt) have studied it, as have Downtown BK Partnership and BK Borough President.
Synthesis needed!

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

"A push two years ago to compel" MSG to pay taxes "stalled amid a flurry of Knicks victories. The logic among lawmakers: not while the Knicks are winning."
https://t.co/4uOLEadyWD
But Dolan makes huge profits from playoff games.
That makes it EASIER to revoke the tax exemption.

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

@rauldougou No, as I wrote in my update, they did not even mention the content of the comments.
They only said that they had received three comments.
#AtlanticYards #transparency

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

Updated w/scorching @rauldougou comment, finally posted by NYS:
"You have done a remarkable job showing, yet again, that the ESD is not interested in real community input. With 100s of $Ms of taxpayer money at stake, you have done a tireless job of removing democratic oversight."

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

Stonewalling & secrecy at the Atlantic Yards advisory meeting
https://t.co/vx1GzZBP1b
Yes, NY State has committed $175M for the first block of the platform, but it's just a start.
MOU coming in July.
But the meeting was mostly in executive session.

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

Barclays Center releases June 2026 event calendar: 13 ticketed events, including 7 concerts and 4 Liberty games, plus NBA Draft & boxing.
https://t.co/iJKr2u8kqj
Also: private events, at least 5 graduations.
Note: June 1-4 ≠ Friday-Monday

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

Last Friday, @barclayscenter BK Sports & Entertainment circulated this community calendar.
It identifies June 1 -4 mistakenly re days of week, though events/dates are correct
(Waiting for update)
Private events not specified, but likely graduation ceremonies.

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

Stonewalling & secrecy at the Atlantic Yards advisory meeting
https://t.co/vx1GzZBP1b
Yes, NY State has committed $175M for the first block of the platform, but it's just a start.
MOU coming in July.
But the meeting was mostly in executive session.

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

New York State officials at meeting say that they will need more than $175 million so the announced appropriation is definitely not the only one
Atlantic Yards

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

Ok it is $175M for Atlantic Yards infrastructure.
Thank you @katiebrenzel

Though why could they not have said so specifically in the legislation

It still IMO leaves open the possibility for more in the future

https://t.co/bXYd1Iette

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

@aussieflya @JimmyVielkind @JonCampbellNY @DavidFBrand No, I don't cover directly, but I was curious (partly bc 20 yrs ago there was a "carve out" for Atlantic Yards)

Didn't get any answers to my Qs: https://t.co/8Fyr8PHeH6

Complex deal that deserves more sunlight to assess

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

@JimmyVielkind @JonCampbellNY @DavidFBrand Any clarity on what "millions of dollars" means?

+what the overall developer commitment ($150M for open space, $31M for senior housing, [$ space for?] new YMCA) adds up to?

@JanakiChadha @katiebrenzel

@davelombino

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

Ok it is $175M for Atlantic Yards infrastructure.
Thank you @katiebrenzel

Though why could they not have said so specifically in the legislation

It still IMO leaves open the possibility for more in the future

https://t.co/bXYd1Iette

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

Looks like NYState budget offers *up to* $575M for Atlantic Yards infrastructure
An unspecified "portion" of the NY Works Economic Development Fund will go to the project.
https://t.co/n8GafQhuSB
Does that mean $175M?
Developers sought $350M
#Murky
@JoAnneSimonBK52 @BklynSpeaks

[Kathryn Brenzel @katiebrenzel]

@AYReport @JoAnneSimonBK52 @BklynSpeaks It's $175M, per the governor's office today.

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

Looks like NYState budget offers *up to* $575M for Atlantic Yards infrastructure
An unspecified "portion" of the NY Works Economic Development Fund will go to the project.
https://t.co/n8GafQhuSB
Does that mean $175M?
Developers sought $350M
#Murky
@JoAnneSimonBK52 @BklynSpeaks

[David Brand @DavidFBrand]

NY lawmakers are considering a $175M cash infusion to help finally build a platform above Atlantic Yards

The funding would come about a year after the state waived millions in monthly fines against a previous developer who blew an affordable housing deadline

w @JonCampbellNY

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

@_rebeccaclewis @KaitlynnLisa Do you have a link to the actual budget bills?

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

With less than 48 hours' notice, New York State announces an Atlantic Yards meeting
https://t.co/HRYyT3752z
Empire State Development's advisory Atlantic Yards Community Development Corporation will meet in Brooklyn tmrw at 1 pm
(Clairvoyant) public comments are due by 3 pm today

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

Note that @NYCHousing has restored 20% AMI option in Area Median Income chart:https://t.co/owiksiyvnf
AFAIK it appeared briefly in 2024 chart (see my 2024 post), but later was axed:
https://t.co/15Q5TwyQfa
also absent in 2025: https://t.co/jQwf4ZGFOn
#affordablehousing

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

As 2024 NYC Area Median Income rises nearly 10%, new 100% AMI for 4-ppl = $155,300
https://t.co/kxKARLC8ei
"Low-income" 80% AMI reaches $100K for most household sizes.
@nychousing adds 20% AMI as Extremely Low Income option @ANHD #affordablehousing
1/

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

This is 30% of Area Median Income (AMI), considered Extremely Low-Income by @NYCHousing
https://t.co/owiksiyvnf
That said, those in Very Low-Income band (31%-50% AMI) probably would want this too.

[Sally Goldenberg @SallyGold]

Families of 4 earning $50,880 will soon pay 25% of their income on rent, down from 30%, for homes financed by @NYCHousing.

That will make a big difference to those renters. Developers working w/ the city are unlikely to want to make up the difference:

https://t.co/Czv9jld6wC

[Norman Oder @AYReport]

Atlantic Yards roundup: Waiting for the subsidy deal, the MOU, & the "conceptual" program
https://t.co/lg8Uy1xx9n
Coverage of project transparency, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, & the Tsais' Social Justice Fund. Shouldn't the operators of MSG & Barclays Center pay taxes?