BROOKLYN
The state-city entity overseeing the development of the long-delayed Brooklyn Bridge Park project is getting new leadership, but it remains unclear whether the state will cave into the city’s request for sole control of the 85-acre development, according to the New York Post.
Peter Davidson, who was tapped as the Empire State Development Corp.’s executive director in October, has been appointed by Gov. Paterson to head the board of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corp.
Davidson, of Brooklyn Heights, will assume his chairmanship at Thursday’s board meeting.
The news comes as the cash-strapped city is offering to pump an extra $55 million into the project to help close a more than $100 million funding gap in the nearly $350 million project, which is set to partially open this winter. The one catch: the just-as-cash-strapped state must hand over control of the project to the Bloomberg administration.
ESDC staff today skirted questions about whether Davidson and the board would back the takeover – a decision that will ultimately be decided by the governor, who controls ESDC.
As for the project’s controversial housing component, Myer announced earlier this year that the remaining 780 units yet to be built to help fund the park’s maintenance are on hold because of the national credit crisis.
So, for city officials two weeks ago to say they would consider holding off on the housing if the city took over park control is disingenuous because the housing is already on hold. City officials later clarified the remarks, saying the housing was not off the table but they were open to other funding mechanisms.
Project opponents will believe it when they see it.
Read More:
New Brooklyn Bridge Park leadership, but state still mum about attempted city takeover
New York Post - Brooklyn Blog - December 16, 2009 - By Rich Calder
State Names New Chair For Piers Park Development
Brooklyn Daily Eagle - December 15, 2009 - By Henrik Krogius
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