Coalition to Call for Longer Atlantic Yards Public Comment Period

A week before the big August 23 public hearing on the massive Atlantic Yards Draft Environmental Impact Statement, a range of civic and community groups along with elected officials will hold a press conference on the steps of City Hall calling for more time for public review and comment. The groups and officials will urge the Empire State Development Corporation. A number of officials--including Democratic Gubernatorial frontrunner Eliot Spitzer and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn have already called on the Empire State Development Corporation to either delay the public hearing or extended the review period or both. Among those that are scheduled to be on hand or invited to take part are State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery, Assem. James Brennan, Assem. Roger L. Green, Assem. Joseph Lentol, Assem. Joan Millman, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, City Councilmember Bill DeBlasio, City Councilmember Letitia James and City Councilmember David Yassky. (Yassky supports the Atlantic Yards project.) Members of Brooklyn Community Boards 2, 6 and 8 will also be there. Organizations that are participating include Citizen’s Union, Community-Based Planning Task Force, Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods, Municipal Art Society of New York, New York Industrial Retention Network, New Yorkers for Parks and the Women’s City Club.