Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, joined politicians and officials for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Barclays Center, the 22-acre development center in Brooklyn that will eventually be the new home of the New Jersey Nets.
Last December, Ratner's Forest City Ratner Cos. finalized a deal to sell 80 percent of the Nets. Jay-Z is part owner of the NBA team.
The ceremony, which featured Borough President Marty Markowitz, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Gov. David Paterson and Mayor Michael Bloomberg, also attracted protesters who claim the new arena will be the death of Brooklyn.
Inside a tent at the construction site, however, officials insisted the project would breathe new life into the borough.
"Today is a great day for Brooklyn and for the soul of Brooklyn, which is very much alive," said Markowitz. Markowitz has been the most vocal supporter of the Atlantic Yards project since it was announced seven years ago, according to the Associated Press.
Beyonce was also in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Thursday, March 11, 2010.
"What I stand here and represent is hope for Brooklyn, New York City. I'm a son of Brooklyn, I'm from Marcy projects." Jay-Z said, reports MTV News. "I think about growing up in Brooklyn in the Marcy projects and shooting jump shots, thinking I can make it to the NBA. Now I stand here as an owner of team that's coming back to Brooklyn."
Some Brooklyn residents have been against the project since it was announced and numerous lawsuits were filed to put a halt to the plan. The argument involved the city's use of eminent domain.
"What they're going to build is a money-losing arena, maybe one or two towers and acres and acres of parking," Daniel Goldstein told the Associated Press. Goldstein is the founder of Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn. The building project is described as a "scam" and "bait-and-switch" scheme on the group's Web site.
Goldstein's home was seized by the state to make way for the project, although they have yet to leave, according to the Associated Press.
The project, headed by developer Bruce Ratner, reportedly costs $4.9 billion. The arena will seat 18,000, be home to business and residential properties and is expected to open in 2012, according to a press release. The building site is located in downtown Brooklyn at Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues.
Brooklyn hasn't had a professional sports team since the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1957.
Jay-Z's wife, Beyonce, was also in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremeony. The singer/actress was in the borough just days ago to open a cosmotology center at The Phoenix House, which helps recovering substance abusers.
Jay-Z, Officials Break Ground For Barclays Center At Atlantic Yards
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, from left, New York Gov. David Paterson, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, entertainer Jay-Z, and Delia Hunley-Adossa, shovel dirt during the ground breaking for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Thursday, March 11, 2010. (Seth Wenig/AP)
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