In an article written by Gus Lubin right before the Barclays opened called, “Six Months Till the Opening of the Barclays Center, This Part of Brooklyn Is Still A Wasteland”, the author describes the status of the surrounding neighborhood. He describes the area as trashy, featuring off-brand stores along with many vacancies. But the article also addresses the fact that the neighborhood may undergo a huge change because of the upscale center that is in the process of opening its doors. It predicts the center bringing prestige and identity to an area that has lacked it. It’s interesting to see the state of the neighborhood surrounding the Barclays Center today vs. then. Today the area is perceived to be this trendy area, and after seeing the reverse, it can be assumed that much of this has to do with the construction of the Barclays Center. It evidently has had a large impact on the whole neighborhood as a whole. Looking at the transformation that some of downtown Brooklyn has undergone, it is important to see how factors such as the Barclays Center can cause such a huge change.
