New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's budget, announced Thursday, includes $107 million for city improvements around Bruce Ratner's planned Nets Arena and mini-city in Brooklyn. The mayor's commitment follows the state's decision to find another $100 million for state improvements near the project. Meanwhile, community leaders continue to spar over the arena, with some African-American leaders claiming Ratner is cynically using basketball to sell his billion dollar plans.
- Mayor Bloomberg Reveals His Cautious 2007 Budget - The Gothamist
- Blacks blast Bruce - Dana Rubinstein - Brooklyn Paper