Construction isn’t the only thing irking neighbors of the Atlantic Yards development site, according to the New York Post, it’s the people carrying out that work, too. Neighbors complain that construction workers have overtaken nearby Dean Street public playground and made it unfriendly for children. The workers curse loudly, smoke cigarettes and harass neighbors who complain, they said.
Park Slope and Prospect Heights residents fear this is just a foreshadowing of far worse problems to come when fans flood their streets before and after Nets games.
For now, Peter Krashes, who runs the Dean Street Block Association, said Forest City Ratner should have provided workers a lounge area for their breaks to avoid this issue. He and other civic leaders said residents have tried to call the police but they don’t arrive fast enough to find the illegal cigarette smoking and to remove the workers. Now, they’re pleading with the developer to station a security guard at the site.
A Forest City Ratner spokesperson said the firm is aware of the problems and has discussed the issue with contractor Hunt Construction, the police and the Mayor’s Office. [Post]