Atlantic Yards Update: Skirmishes in the Battle for Our Hearts and Minds

It's a short week, but there's no lack of activity to report in the ongoing War for the Hearts and Minds of Brooklynites over Atlantic Yards.

First, No Land Grab reports that the Park Slope Food Coop will be screening an 18-minute short film called "A Walk Through the Footprint" on Friday (July 7) at 7:00 PM. It profiles several Prospect Heights residents facing eviction because of the Forest City Ratner highrise and arena development. (The 16-building megaproject would displace about 800 people.) Modeled on PBS's "Walk Through" series, the film shows opponents visiting some of the residents that would be displaced. It was produced by Coop member and filmmaker, George Lerner, who has made a series of short films on Brooklyn neighborhoods like Crown Heights and Red Hook for the website TurnHere.com. The Coop is at 782 Union in Park Slope.

Second, Forest City Ratner's latest salvo is a session to talk up the 2,250 units of affordable housing the massive development would produce. Yesterday FCR placed an ad in the Daily News and sent out an email blast via its Atlantic Yards News about a session being held at the Brooklyn Marriott on Tuesday, July 11 at 6:30 PM. As per most Atlantic Yards events hosted by the developer, access is being restricted to a pre-screened, pre-approved list of attendees. To go, one must email or call FCR with a name and phone number and get an email confirmation. Gowanus Lounge calls this the Norman Oder Verboten/Nicht No Land Grab/Nein Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn Clause.

Third, the Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods is preparing for the battle over the Atlantic Yards Draft Environmental Impact Statement by holding meetings to "prepare the community to respond" to the (very likely) contentious document. The first meeting will be held the same day Atlantic Yards holds its affordable housing meeting. The neighborhood meeting is at St. Cyril's Belarusian Cathedral, Atlantic Avenue and Bond Street, on July 11 at 7 PM. No, um, advance clearance or permission is required to attend.

Fourth, Develop-Don't Destroy Brooklyn is holding a "Rally Against Ratner's Skyscraper City and Arena Over-development" at Grand Army Plaza on Sunday, July 16. It starts at 2PM and features a long line up of officials such as Council Members Letitia James and Charles Barron, Actor Steve Buscemi and a variety of entertainers. Look for flyers to be up soon everywhere.