Apartment development begins at Atlantic Yards site

Tuesday December 18, 2012 8:07 PM By IVAN PEREIRA

Photo credit: Mayor Bloomberg breaks ground at Atlantic Yards Development. (Spencer T. Tucker/Mayor's office) | Mayor Bloomberg breaks ground at Atlantic Yards Development. (Spencer T. Tucker/Mayor's office)

The mayor and Brooklyn's top leaders broke ground Tuesday on the borough's long awaited and controversial development.

The B2 building will bring 363 new apartments to the Atlantic Yards area half of which would be set aside for affordable housing. The mayor, who was joined by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Nets owner Bruce Ratner, said the buildings will bring a boost to the neighborhood.

"It will enrich a thriving community and ensure that living in this neighborhood is an option for a diverse group of New Yorkers," Bloomberg said in a statement.

Opponents say the mayor promised more affordable housing in the area and the construction will cause a traffic nightmare especially during Barclays Center events.

Tags: NEWS , Atlantic Yards , Michael Bloomberg , Marty Markowitz , Bruce Ratner , Ivan Pereira , ARTICLE , AMNY , HOLD