Jackson said that after looking at the facts of the deal,visiting the low- to middle-income housing project two weeks agoand failing to see a definite explanation from Clipper on how itplans to keep Starrett City affordable, he has opted to block the$1.3-billionsale.

"We are concerned the sale will rapidly change the Starrett Citycommunity. We are concerned it will be dug open, paved and changed.We cannot stand witness to the loss of open space where tenantswalk and their children play." Jackson went on to say, "StarrettCity is a community of people, a way of life. The tenants don'twant this transaction and it would be the worst kind of theft tosteal all of that from them."

Clipper's past violations, weighed heavily against the company.The company owns more than 4,700 apartments in 71 buildingsthroughout New York City. Cuomo said he gave Jackson a file sixinches thick on the potential buyers past and currenttransgressions and Jackson said that information sealed the deal.Clipper's past was brought to light immediately after its bid wasmade public.