I apologize for the short notice, but this just came in yesterday. The Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods is hosting a public event with the Atlantic Yards ombudsman. Yes, he exists, and he will answer your questions.

WHAT: Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods Hosts Q & A re Atlantic Yards
WHEN: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 7.30 p.m.
WHERE: St. Cyril of Turau Belarusian Cathedral, Atlantic Avenue at Hoyt Street

From the CBN notice:

The Empire State Development Corporation’s Atlantic Yards Ombudsman, Forrest Taylor, will be at the Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods’ bi-monthly general meeting next week to field questions about the stalled mega-development project.

Mr. Taylor took questions from the public and elected officials at CBN’s January 2008 meeting, and this will be good a opportunity to follow up on answers he gave then.

If you’re curious about when the ESDC expects the Carlton Avenue Bridge to be rebuilt; why the Governor has been slashing budgets on just about every state-funded program while remaining mum about Atlantic Yards; just what the heck is going on with security plans for the planned basketball arena; or anything else having to do with the project—this is your chance. CBN has also extended invitations to several Brooklyn elected officials, who may welcome the chance to pin down the ESDC on the many unaddressed issues and unanswered questions hanging over the Atlantic Yards project.

In addition, if you’re a member in good standing of one of CBN’s member organizations, and you’re interested in joining CBN’s Steering Committee, there will be at least two seats open in the election that will be conducted at Wednesday’s meeting. Nominations can be submitted from the floor. The Steering Committee meets once a month.