After years of grappling with eminent domain laws, entrenched homeowners, and Frank Gehry’s since-scrapped melty architectural imaginings, the Barclays Center was finally unveiled this morning. Accompanied by giant novelty scissors and a popgun burst of streamers, the ribbon-cutting ceremony capped off a cavalcade of celebratory speeches that were delivered overlooking the glowing hardwood court where the Brooklyn Nets will now play.

The themes of the day were predictable: The world-class greatness of Brooklyn, the fortunate public housing residents who will now be gainfully employed, the painful slog all these gentlemen endured to make it to this moment. Jay-Z, who didn’t seem to be around, was mentioned by name on a dozen occasions, each time followed by a pause for light applause.