Brooklyn civic groups call on Ratner to aid borough’s transit issues

Bruce Ratner and Councilwoman Letitia James
Bruce Ratner and Councilwoman Letitia James

Forest City Ratner should pay subway fares for Barclays Center patrons, as promised, as well as ferry service from New Jersey to Fulton Ferry, a new Brooklyn transportation report argues. City Councilwoman Letitia James, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and three local civic groups released the “Brooklyn gateway transportation vision,” arguing for congestion pricing, residential parking permits and more bike lanes, specifically around the stadium, Capital New York reported.

“Existing traffic and parking congestion, demands on transit service and dangerous roads for cyclists and pedestrians already pose hurdles for residents, businesses and the environment,” the report said. “The opening of Barclays Center in September 2012 has further compounded these challenges.”

The report argues that the New York City Department of Transportation might further interfere with the neighborhood’s already congested streets, especially once the Atlantic Yards development gets underway.

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Ratner recently backed off a $741 million tax lawsuit filed against the city by Brooklyn Events Center, a subsidiary of Ratner’s, as previously reported. [Capital NY] –Hayley Kaplan