Ratner lands Giff's backing

BY DEBORAH KOLBEN
DAILY NEWS WRITER

City Council Speaker Gifford Miller - a vocal foe of the Jets' proposed West Side stadium - is coming out in favor today of developer Bruce Ratner's $3.5 billion Nets arena complex in downtown Brooklyn.

"The difference is that the Atlantic Yards project has less public investment," said a source close to Miller. "and there's a substantial affordable housing component."

Miller, a Manhattan Democrat running for mayor, has said there were "positive differences" between the Jets' and Nets' projects, but never fully endorsed Ratner's development.

The Brooklyn project would include a new arena for the New Jersey Nets, who would leave their Meadowlands home, high-rise office towers and up to 7,300 apartments.

Ratner's development calls for $100 million each from the city and state, and would allow the condemnation of homes and businesses on the 21-acre site.

Half of the project would be built over MTA-owned railyards that Ratner hopes to purchase.

The Jets stadium proposal, the centerpiece of Bloomberg's push to bring the 2012 Summer Olympics to the city, would require $300 million each from the city and state.

Some analysts say this could be a good political move for Miller, who is lagging in the polls.

"Miller needs to get out of Manhattan," said political consultant Hank Sheinkopf, "and Brooklyn's a good place to start."