Atlantic Yards lite is on 'last legs' - foes
By Jotham Sederstrom and Adam Lisberg

Trimming Frank Gehry's design for the Nets arena at Brooklyn's Atlantic Yards will help ensure it gets built, boosters said Friday- but critics say the scaleback is the plan's death knell.

"The project is definitely on its last legs, and the wicked witch is almost dead," Councilwoman Letitia James (WFP-Fort Greene) said after the Daily News reported that developer Bruce Ratner wants to hire "value engineering" firms to trim millions from Gehry's plans.
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"Atlantic Yards will happen, with the arena and everything else, and Frank Gehry-inspired for sure, but it may mean that some of the bells and whistles may have to be deferred," Borough President Marty Markowitz said.

"It's prudent to cut costs if you have to cut costs. You do without some of the bells and whistles."
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"Everybody today, in this kind of market, has to be focused on costs," said Robert Lieber, deputy mayor for economic development.

"It's great to have these big names on it, and we want to encourage that kind of creative design," he said. "But it's got to be something you can build. If it's great design and it never gets off the canvas, what have you done?"