Forest City, ESDC Appealing July Atlantic Yards Ruling

The Empire State Development Corporation and Forest City Ratner have filed notices of appeal that signal their intention to fight a ruling this summer that a new phase of environmental review is required for Atlantic Yards. BrooklynSpeaks, the umbrella organization of several community groups that was among the petitioners in the case, announced the appeals yesterday and noted the following about the July ruling: “The decision came after nearly two years of litigation by BrooklynSpeaks’ sponsors, local elected officials and community members, which challenged ESDC’s 2009 approval of plan changes increasing the duration of project construction from 10 to 25 years.” While the decision didn’t stay current Atlantic Yards construction, the notices of appeal mean that the ESDC and Forest City won’t need to put wheels in motion for a new environmental review. Gib Veconi of the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council, one of the members of BrooklynSpeaks, said yesterday that, among other things, complying with the decision would require a public hearing process. Veconi also said that BrooklynSpeaks is confident that the July decision will be upheld, as “they’re not introducing anything that wasn’t decided by the lower court.” More at Atlantic Yards Report, which reprints letters from several politicians urging the ESDC not to appeal the decision.
Empire State Development Corporation and Forest City Ratner to Fight Court Order [BrooklynSpeaks]
ESDC, Forest City to Appeal State Court Judge’s Ruling [AY Report]
Judge Rules in Favor of Community Groups in AY Case [Brownstoner]
Photo by threecee.