Battle for Brooklyn

Suki Hawley and Michael Galinsky's impassioned documentary follows local opposition to the so-called Atlantic Yards project, a huge effort spearheaded by developer Bruce Ratner to transform the long-abandoned Long Island Rail Road yards in Brooklyn into a gigantic complex that would include a new arena for the New Jersey Nets (the NBA team Ratner partially owns) designed by none other than Frank Gehry. When announced in 2003, the ambitious plan was eagerly embraced by numerous politicians, including New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, despite the fact that it would require destroying a significant portion of the surrounding Prospect Heights neighborhood and threatening holdouts with the right of eminent domain. Not surprisingly, the venture roused the ire of many residents, who engaged in lengthy efforts to block the project in court and on the street. Battle for Brooklyn focuses on one of the most prominent opponents—Daniel Goldstein, a recent apartment buyer—but also introduces other locals and politicos, including New York City Councilwoman Letitia James, who agreed with the residents' objections. Ultimately, this is a David vs. Goliath story that ends in a double defeat, with the protestors eventually forced out, and the project itself stumbling and stalling—limping along in a much-reduced, underfinanced form. Serving up an object lesson about how grandiose schemes for urban revitalization—generally requiring massive taxpayer support—often turn out to be expensive boondoggles, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)