Norman Oder
normanoder.bsky.social
Norman Oder
@normanoder.bsky.social
#Brooklyn journalist focusing on Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park megaproject (including Barclays Center)
blog: AtlanticYardsReport.com
newsletter: normanoder.substack.com.
Sign up for the newsletter, keep up with the blog. Yes, it's pretty niche.
To increase capacity, second Atlantic Yards workshop Dec. 8, on streetscape and public realm, sustainability and resiliency, & community serving retail and facilities, has been moved to the Barclays Center practice court.
Sign up here: esd.ny.gov/atlantic-yar...
December 2, 2025 at 11:44 PM
As developers propose much larger Atlantic Yards towers, their renderings distort reality
normanoder.substack.com/p/as-develop...
Images downplay proposed changes while inflating what's been approved.
The claimed 20%↑ in bulk translates to 46% at the railyard but 71% at five sites (or 99% at four?).
As Developers Propose Much Larger Buildings, Their Renderings Distort Reality
Images downplay proposed changes while inflating what's been approved. The claimed 20% increase in bulk translates to 46% at the railyard but 71% at five sites (or 99% at four?).
normanoder.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Questions for the upcoming Atlantic Yards meeting
normanoder.substack.com/p/questions-...
Was the "Feasible Alternative" depicted feasibly? (Not quite. See below.)
Do new developers seek just a 20% increase in bulk, & should they get it for free?
Why no plans for lower-income units?
Questions for the Atlantic Yards CDC Meeting
Was the "Feasible Alternative" depicted feasibly? (Not quite.) Do new developers seek just a 20% increase in bulk, & should they get it for free? Why no plans for lower-income units?
normanoder.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Barclays Center releases December 2025 event calendar: 13 ticketed events, including six concerts, plus women's college hoops tourney. No NYE show.
atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2025/11/barc...
Barclays Center releases December 2025 event calendar: 13 ticketed events, including six concerts, plus women's college hoops tourney. No NYE show.
The Barclays Center last week released its December 2025 calendar of events: 13 ticketed events including six Brooklyn Nets games, six conce...
atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Who owns what in Atlantic Yards? What are the project's real variables?)
normanoder.substack.com/p/who-owns-w...
When I asked about ownership, I got the runaround. Previously, a risky structure undermined the project. Plus: doesn't public investment require more financial transparency?
Who Owns What In the Project? What Are the Project's Real Variables?
When I asked about ownership, I got the runaround. Previously, a risky structure undermined the project. Plus: doesn't public investment require more financial transparency?
normanoder.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Important panel Dec. 15 set to address Atlantic Yards & Brooklyn Marine Terminal projects.
As my link points out, the evidence since NYS failure to enforce #affordablehousing penalties for #AtlanticYards is even more concerning
atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2025/11/can-...
Can public-private development (Atlantic Yards, BMT) be fixed? Panel discussion set for Dec. 15.
"Public-private development is failing the public. How can we fix it?" A virtual panel discussion on that topic is set for December 15 at 7 ...
atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Atlantic Yards CDC agenda: update on community engagement and a presentation from the development team.
atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2025/11/atla...
This time, questions for them?
November 26, 2025 at 4:05 PM
New Atlantic Yards developers' #affordablehousing rhetoric suggests low-income units not a priority
normanoder.substack.com/p/developers...
Lowest 1-BR rent: $2,430?
$100K+ as "affordable" min.?
Promised faster buildout would dampen increases in base rents, but skyrocketing AMI has taken its toll.
November 26, 2025 at 2:30 PM
After new project details revealed and "community engagement" begun, advisory #AtlanticYards CDC set for public meeting Dec. 2 in Brooklyn
atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2025/11/afte...
After new project details revealed and "community engagement" begun, advisory Atlantic Yards CDC set for public meeting Dec. 2 in Brooklyn
With barely a calendar week--and only a few business days--of notice, Empire State Development (ESD), the state authority that oversees/shep...
atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Does more Atlantic Yards open space mean better open space?
Maybe not, if population outpaces it.
normanoder.substack.com/p/does-more-...
More acreage would come with a larger percentage increase in apartments.
Still, a better layout would help.
Does More Open Space Mean Better Open Space? Maybe Not, If Population Outpaces It.
More acreage would come with a larger percentage increase in apartments. Still, a better layout would help.
normanoder.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:59 PM
New Atlantic Yards Developers Apparently Expect 1.6M Square Feet in Additional Air Rights for Free
normanoder.substack.com/p/new-develo...
"Today's context," they say, justifies bigger buildings. But the 2005 appraisal & bid for MTA development rights envisioned less bulk. Value of boost: $320M?
New Developers Apparently Expect 1.6M Square Feet in Additional Air Rights for Free
"Today's context," they say, justifies bigger buildings. But the 2005 appraisal and bid for MTA development rights, in a different context, envisioned less bulk. Value of boost: $320M?
normanoder.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Updated and expanded coverage of new Atlantic Yards plans, including criticism of the focus on moderate to middle-income #affordablehousing (as opposed to low-income units, where the need is greatest)

Attendees a mix of wary and welcoming
November 19, 2025 at 6:34 PM
New Atlantic Yards developers seek to supersize project. Total 9,000 units, not 6,430.
Taller towers (& one subtraction) allow more open space.
normanoder.substack.com/p/new-develo...
1.6M more square feet (value: $320M?) sought, said to make project & affordability viable.
Subsidies unclear
New Developers Seek to Supersize Project: Total 9,000 Units, Instead of 6,430. Taller Towers (and One Subtraction) Allow More Open Space.
1.6M more square feet (value: $320M?) sought, said to make project & affordability viable. Changes could mean faster buildout. Would bulk increase be just 20%? (Nope.)
normanoder.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Atlantic Yards Digest and Meeting Preview: New Development Team, Light Penalties, Murky Plans
normanoder.substack.com/p/november-d...
Will "Community Engagement," starting tonight, help shape a new #AtlanticYards #PacificParkBK plan or ratify what's already cooking?
November Digest and Meeting Preview: New Development Team, Light Penalties, Murky Plans
Will "Community Engagement," starting tonight, help shape a new plan or ratify what's already cooking?
normanoder.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:32 PM
The BrooklynSpeaks Advice on Tomorrow's #AtlanticYards Meeting--and What's Missing
normanoder.substack.com/p/the-brookl...
The coalition has worthy words on affordable housing, density, open space, & accountability.
But it shouldn't ignore the likely concessions, the trade-offs, & the bad faith.
November 17, 2025 at 5:32 PM
If “There Really Is No Accountability,” as Per Former ESD Executive, Why Not Involve Third-Party Experts?
normanoder.substack.com/p/if-there-r...
The first Atlantic Yards Project Director came clean after leaving her post.
As new project plan looms, the argument deserves expansion. #AtlanticYards
If “There Really Is No Accountability,” as Per Former ESD Executive, Why Not Involve Third-Party Experts?
The first Atlantic Yards Project Director came clean after leaving her post. As new project plan looms, the argument deserves expansion.
normanoder.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Beyond Height & Density, Key Questions About "Pacific Park" Open Space
normanoder.substack.com/p/beyond-hei...
The Pacific Park Conservancy is an unaccountable phantom.
Is the new JV taking over Atlantic Yards even involved?
Also, shouldn't the arena operator have to pay for a permanent plaza?
Beyond Height & Density, Key Questions About "Pacific Park" Open Space.
The Pacific Park Conservancy is an unaccountable phantom. Is the new joint venture even involved? Also, shouldn't the arena operator have to pay for a permanent plaza?
normanoder.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Tight schedule: second workshop on future of Atlantic Yards announced for Dec. 8.
atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2025/11/tigh...
Newly released "Project Briefer" omits key information re planned density.
#AtlanticYards #PacificParkBK
@joannesimonbk52.bsky.social @jabaribrisport.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Atlantic Yards Workshop on Height & Density Ignores Plan for Two Towers Across from Arena at Site 5
normanoder.substack.com/p/workshop-o...
Blank map for railyard hints at revision of previous six-tower plan.
What's next: new shapes? more towers? fewer towers?
#AtlanticYards #PacificParkBK
Workshop on Height & Density Ignores Plan for Two Towers Across from Arena, Hints at New Configuration Over Railyard
While Nov. 18 session purports to solicit public input, state authority overseeing project already supports a giant project at Site 5. Blank map for railyard points to revision of six-tower plan.
normanoder.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:04 PM
First public workshop on #AtlanticYards future (density, open space, affordability) set for Nov. 18. (2 hrs!)
atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2025/11/firs...
Does new map, w/o 6 railyard tower sites outlined, suggest potential reconfiguration?
Would public input have much effect?
#PacificParkBK
November 5, 2025 at 12:18 PM
The Murky Path to Cirrus's Control of the Remaining #AtlanticYards Project
normanoder.substack.com/p/the-murky-...
Was the key element debt regarding the B1/Site 5 parcels, or advantageous contract language in the 2nd EB-5 loan?
What about the EB-5 middleman? The explanations don't fully make sense
The Murky Path to Cirrus's Control of the Remaining Project
Was the key element debt regarding the B1/Site 5 parcels, or advantageous contract language in the second EB-5 loan? What about the EB-5 middleman? The explanations don't fully make sense.
normanoder.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Barclays Center releases November 2025 event calendar: eleven concerts and seven Brooklyn Nets games, plus a Liberty "Merch Shop" atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com/2025/11/barc...
Barclays Center releases November 2025 event calendar: eleven concerts and seven Brooklyn Nets games, plus a Liberty "Merch Shop"
The Barclays Center yesterday circulated its November 2025 event calendar to neighbors, citing 18 ticketed events in as many days. That inc...
atlanticyardsreport.blogspot.com
November 1, 2025 at 12:31 PM
TD: "Local news organizations are desperate for your support, they live and breathe on your attention to local issues...If the latest 'most important election of your lifetime' to stop MechaTrump3000...is sucking up all the oxygen, will people... reup their donation to nonprofit news site The City"
I think the prop 6 to move election day is ultimately a big fuck you to local media, so I wrote about why we need to stay separate from the oxygen destroyer that is the presidential race (and talked to smarter political minds than myself about it too): read it here nygroove.nyc/proposition-...
Proposition 6: Why local media might suffer if we move election day
It's hard enough to get people to pay attention; moving election day will make it worse
nygroove.nyc
October 30, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Waiting for a New #AtlanticYards Plan. Lots of Big Questions.
normanoder.substack.com/p/waiting-fo...
The project is moving ahead, but we don't know the proposed scale, scope, affordability, & design, nor what public concessions new developers will seek.
New deadline = 2040s?
#PacificParkBK
October 29, 2025 at 1:43 PM