The Brooklyn Trolley Blogger: Barclays Center ~ What a Difference a Year Makes

BARCLAYS CENTER

Ground Breaking Day ~ One Year Later

What a Difference a Year Makes

One year ago today, Ground Breaking Ceremonies for the Barclays Center took place in this white tent erected on the site where Major Professional Sports would return to Kings County for the first time since the Dodgers left for California. Inside, Bruce Ratner beamed during the press conference announcing construction of the new arena for the New Jersey Nets Basketball Club was finally beginning after extensive delays and lawsuits that almost killed the project. As a minority share holder of the team, Jay-Z was also on hand to field questions about the Nets' new future in his home-town of Brooklyn.

Of course there was the obligatory Photo-Op with then-New York's Governor Paterson, New York City's Mayor Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President; Marty Markowitz. However, of those on hand for the day's ceremonies, none was lovelier than Beyonce.

The signs went up and the construction barriers were put in place. Through much of the Spring and Summer of 2010, much of the initial work took place below street level preparing the arena's foundation while providing unchanging views for passers-by during the first several months.

October 2010

Intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Atlantic Avenue

Autumn rolled around and with the change in season, the next phase of Barclays' construction would start to offer visible progress. With the foundation roots in place, by November 2010 Brooklyn's arena began it's ascension above street-level. By December, steel beams would be piercing the sky.

December 12, 2010

December 13, 2010

December 17, 2010

December and the year 2010 ended with a major snow storm. And to usher in 2011, New York City set a new record for January snow fall. And yet, it seemed to do little to hamper the pace and progress at the Barclays site. I remember watching the construction of the Brooklyn Cyclones' park in Coney Island a decade ago. Now, as a regular visitor to the Brooklyn arena site, I find the amount of work accomplished thus far to be nothing short of remarkable.

The initial build-up was concentrated along Atlantic Avenue. Since then, steel decks have made their way east and around the turn at Sixth Avenue. Currently, the steel decks are pushing west along Atlantic Ave and have made the turn onto Flatbush Avenue headed north.

January 14, 2011