Atlantic Yards Reverberations: Anti-Project Candidate in Assembly Primary Bid

Some Atlantic Yards opponents are setting their sights on a new Governor and new members of the legislature in Albany. The New York Sun noted this week that neither Democratic front-runner Eliot Spitzer nor Republican John Faso have a position on Atlantic Yards. (And both are probably as anxious to wade into the fight as they would be to go for a swim in Gowanus.) But, the next governor could play a major role in shaping the project and, even, whether it lives or dies.

Local opponents, meanwhile, are rallying behind Bill Batson, who they are pushing as a grassroots candidate for the Assembly seat for the 57th district in Brooklyn that's up for grabs this November. (The district includes the Atlantic Yards site.) Batson, they note, opposes the Forest City Ratner plan and has fought a plan to use of eminent domain to turn an Underground Railroad site in downtown Brooklyn into a parking garage. The former Greenpoint artist worked with NYCLU head Normal Siegel and worked for Senate Democratic Leader David Paterson.

IE: He's a Gold Standard candidate for the Develop-Don't Destroy Brooklyn, anti-Atlantic Yards crowd.

OnNYTurf reports on the petition drive that supporters are mounting to get Batson's name on the ballot for the September primary.