The article “Barclays in Brooklyn: How the Arena Has Changed The Borough,” starts off by addressing the fact that when the construction of the Barclays Center was first announced, the residents of the neighborhood were very against it. They worried about what the structure would do to their neighborhood, fearing that it would affect their quality of life. Prior to the opening of the center the neighborhood contained mostly mom and pop stores and the majority of the area was residential. When the Barclays Center opened its doors, it was evident that the businesses operating in the community would not cater to the new demographic that Barclays would bring. But instead of businesses such as nightclubs opening, what the people on the neighborhood were scared of, more restaurants ventured into the territory. These new shops included upscale fast food joints, specialty shops, and a sports store. This article offers a fascinating view into many of the changes the Barclays Center itself brought into the area. The author remarks the the center has turned Brooklyn into a brand and not only has it has it sparked change in the area immediately surrounding it, but it will continue to transform Brooklyn as a whole as well. To see how the neighborhood of Downtown Brooklyn has not only transformed itself, but also has a hand in the transformation of the borough makes it all the more interesting and meaningful.
