Ratner’s Mill Basin retail project withdrawn

The Bloomberg administration has withdrawn its controversial plans to permit developer Bruce Ratner to transform land in the Mill Basin part of Brooklyn into a shopping mall, A Walk in the Park blog reported, announcing the withdrawal on the Office of Environmental Coordination’s website.

“The Four Sparrow Marsh Retail Center at Mill Basin project has been withdrawn as of September 2011,” the announcement said.

Ratner had planned to transform 15 acres of Four Sparrow Marsh to into a shopping site.
There was reportedly speculation that the project was stalled by an investigation into alleged corruption on the part of Senator Carl Kruger, who designated funds for the development (note: correction appended).

According to the Federal complaint issued in December 2010, Forest City Ratner asked Kruger for $11 million for three Ratner projects in Brooklyn, including $2 million for the Four Sparrow Mill Basin project. Kruger is accused of trading political favors for more than $1 million in bribes the past five years, A Walk in the Park said.

Developer Aaron Malinsky and was charged in relation to the alleged corruption, allegedly making $500,000 in bribes to Kruger who later stepped in to help move forward several major real estate developments. [A Walk in the Park]