Bruce Ratner spent a lot of time and money to convince Albany,
or at least 1-3 guys in Albany, and others that "Atlantic Yards" is
the greatest thing since Pruitt-Igoe,
and presumbably to convince the powers that be that the experiment in extreme
density is a necessity.
The biggest single lobbying contract of 2006 was $656,520 paid
by Forest City Ratner Companies to Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson.
And...
2006
lobbying breaks record, tripled since '96
Gannet News Service,
via Ithaca Journal
By YANCEY ROY
Special-interest groups spent a record $151 million trying to influence politics at the State Capitol in 2006, fueled by fights over health care, telecommunications and sports stadiums.
The amount spent on lobbying in New York has tripled in just 10 years, according to a report issued Monday.
The money represents spending on advertising, salaries of lobbyists, meals bought for legislators and similar costs. It does not include campaign contributions.
...
Bruce Ratner, who wants to build a basketball arena in Brooklyn
to house the now-New Jersey Nets NBA team, ranked No. 3 at $2.11 million.
(emphasis added)
If Bruce could spend $2.11 million to grease the political wheels,
why can't he spend one dollar for "extraordinary infrastructure
costs" or the acquisition of the railyards?
