December 15, 2015

Howard Zemsky
Chief Executive Officer
Empire State Development Corporation
633 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Re: Forest City Enterprises Sale of the Barclay Center and the Brooklyn Nets
Dear Mr. Zemsky:
As the elected representatives of the neighborhoods adjacent to the Barclay Center, we write to
express our deep concern regarding the December 2, 2015 article issued by Bloomberg News,
indicating that Forest City Enterprises has reached an agreement with Mikhail Prokhorov, of the
ONEXIM Group, for the sole interest in the Barclay Center and the Brooklyn Nets. Mr.
Prokhorov already owns 80% of the Brooklyn Nets and 45% of the Barclay Center. The terms of
the deal remain unknown to the public and its believed that the National Basketball Association,
(which has no obligation to act in the publics interest) may be one of the only entities reviewing
the terms before the deal closes.
We strongly urge the Empire State Development Corporation (ESD) to review the terms and
oppose any such sale until assurances are made that the community benefits promised by Forest
City Enterprises will be preserved. We ask that any such sale be subject to a fair, open, and
timely public review. Public comment should be accepted and evaluated prior to ESD making
any decision regarding the finalization of this sale.
We also request that if the sale is approved the new owners be legally committed to being
responsive to the community with regards to the impact of arena related events and be able to

respond in real time to the public's complaints about arena-related illegal parking, intersection
delay, lighting, hygiene, noise, etc. by maintaining and enhancing the integration of response into
both existing and planned oversight structures like the AYCDC. Complaints and their responses
are to be logged in a transparent and open way in order to facilitate dialogue about improvements
with the adversely impacted community.
We respectfully request a response from ESD as soon as possible. You may contact Joseph
Yanis at Assemblymember Walter Mosleys office by calling (718) 596-0100. We appreciate
your prompt attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

__________________
Walter T. Mosley
Assemblymember, 57th District

_____________________
Velmanette Montgomery
State Senator, 25th District

____________________
Laurie Cumbo
Councilmember, 35th District

cc
Forest City Enterprises
NBA

_________________
James F. Brennan
Assemblymember, 44th District

___________________
Jo Anne Simon
Assemblymember, 52nd District