PM Update: Markowitz Planning Community Board 6 Purge

It has long been rumored that a purge of Community Board 6 was in the works because many of the board members opposed the Atlantic Yards project. Just last night, in fact, at a CB6 Transportation Committee hearing we heard people joking that the board didn't have long to live because Borough President Marty Markowitz would not reapppoint members that spoke out against the controversial project. Several people, ironically, wondered aloud when the trigger might be pulled.

This afternoon, the Real Estate is reporting that the Atlantic Yard equivalent of the Saturday Night Massacre is coming next week and that up to 12-25 members may be toast. Matthew Schuerman passes along the word. (The board has 50 members serve two-year terms.) TRE reports that City Council Members Bill de Blasio, David Yassky and Sara Gonzalez could also have a role in not reappointing some members.

The community board has 50 members who serve two-year terms, about half of which are up for reappointment this year. Many of them exercised independence in questioning the Atlantic Yards projects, and payback has been expected.

It is unclear how many CB6 members will lose their positions, although it is likely that any connection between Atlantic Yards and the dismissals will be strongly denied. “I want the folks I nominate to care about the things that I care about,” Mr. DeBlasio is reported as saying, noting that not supporting Atlantic Yards equated to a lack of support for affordable housing.