Protecting Blocks Surrounding Barclays Center No. 1 Priority, Residents Say

Frustration bubbled over at a public meeting Wednesday discussing how to handle illegally parked cars, litter-strewn yards and other anticipated problems once the later this month.

Of the some 100 people who came to Bergen Street’s Iglesia Latina Evengelica two blocks from the arena, new faces joined longtime critics in asking tough questions of representatives of Barclays Center developer Forest City Ratner.

Officials explained measures they were taking to improve quality of life for area residents, such as additional landscaping and fencing around the parking lots, emptying nearby street trash bins after events and plans to hire a community affairs manager.

As for , and double-parked cars, FCRC officials said they didn’t have jurisdiction outside of their property to help with such matters and directed residents to consult with the the New York Police Department and city Department of Sanitation.

Several participants at last night’s meeting said that if Ratner had the political pull to get the arena built, they had the influence to get a resident-only parking permit plan passed in Albany to make sure the police and sanitation departments provided adequate enforcement and services.

“Don’t please keep telling us it’s not your property or it’s not your area. We don’t have the political clout you guys do to make this stuff happen,” said Daphne Eviatar, who lives a few blocks from the arena on St. Marks Avenue.

“You’re funneling 17,500 people into the street to use public transportation. If people are walking down my street throwing trash, who is going to clean that up?” said a S. Oxford Street man who left before the meeting ended.

“You’re not taking responsibility,” he added. “This is not a way to create a partnership."