Review of Battle for Brooklyn (2011) by Ambreen E — 27 Jun 2011

This is a fascinating documentary that shows how a politically well connected real estate developer was able to override significant neighborhood opposition in order to gain control of a large parcel of land in downtown brooklyn in order to construct what would have been one of the largest residential and commercial construction projects in history.

Efforts by local community groups to scale back the project, which involved a basketball arena for the Nets and 16 skyscrapers that would have towered over the adjacent four and five story residential buildings, were repeatedly ignored. While the developed did gain control of the land, the current recession appears to have torpedoed the project as originally envisioned. Promises of world class architecture, numerous jobs for local residents, affordable housing and public spaces are no longer mentioned. Nonetheless, the generous tax breaks awarded to the developer have not been reduced.

Anyone concerned about the abuse of power and the misuse of eminent domaine should see this film.