Brooklyn, NY - Broken Promises Haunt Williamsburg Developments

Brooklyn, NY - More than a year after the city rezoned waterfront property in Williamsburg and Greenpoint for luxury high-rise developments, it still hasn't made good on promises it made to the community.

As part of the sweeping plan to turn the industrial ground into parkland and condominiums, the Bloomberg administration and the City Council pledged to set up an advisory committee to oversee the transformation, and earmarked millions of dollars to help displaced small businesses and tenants.

Yet the committee hasn't been created. Only a fraction of the $4 million to help businesses relocate has been approved. And the $2 million to fight illegal convictions has not materialized.

Despite repeated board requests to Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff and the City Council, the advisory committee's members have not been finalized.

Councilman David Yassky's office, which represents the waterfront, said it does not know the reason for the delay. Yassky's office said it submitted its list of appointees to the committee like other elected officials but has heard nothing since. "It is certainly essential that we have a committee that is ready to serve as soon as possible," said Even Thies, the councilman's spokesman.