BREAKING: Goldstein et al Lose Eminent Domain Lawsuit
The New York State Court of Appeals has just ruled in favor of the ESDC in the closely-watched eminent domain lawsuit brought by property owners in the footprint of its proposed Atlantic Yards project. According to Atlantic Yards Report, “In a decision (PDF) that gives the crucial–but perhaps not final–boost to the Atlantic Yards project,…
The New York State Court of Appeals has just ruled in favor of the ESDC in the closely-watched eminent domain lawsuit brought by property owners in the footprint of its proposed Atlantic Yards project. According to Atlantic Yards Report, “In a decision (PDF) that gives the crucial–but perhaps not final–boost to the Atlantic Yards project, the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, approved the use of eminent domain by a 6-1 margin, saying that it’s not the role of the courts to intervene in agency decisions, given the wide latitude in state law.” The ruling means that Ratner may proceed with the sale of tax-exempt bonds to finance the sports arena that is scheduled to be the first stage of the gigantic development. The construction of both affordable and market-rate housing is supposed to begin with months of the arena, but as The New York Times points out this morning, “with so many new apartments sitting vacant, analysts say it could be many years before demand will justify building so many units in one neighborhood.”
Atlantic Yards Project in Brooklyn Clears Legal Hurdle [NY Times]
Court of Appeals upholds AY eminent domain 6-1 [AY Report]
Photo by Tracy Collins
FtGreeneCorey;
I travel a great deal in my work, and couldn’t agree with you more. I still receive alot of strange looks when I tell my clients (in other parts of the country) that I’m from Brooklyn.
Its really interesting to me that, for some of the most diverse, well educated and worldly people in the world, Brooklynites are also some of the most provincial, insular and narrow minded people in this country. I have made the point several times on Brownstoner that, despite what we Brooklynites may think, around the country and around the world, people have the perception that Brooklyn is dirty, scummy, unsafe and the type of place that people “end up” if they can’t afford to live Manhattan, Westchester, Long Island, etc. We obviously know that the foregoing is untrue, but it seems as if the attitude of a lot of people on this blog and a lot of Brooklynites in general is “who f*cking cares what THEY think”. Nonetheless, I honestly believe that, that with the Nets arrival in Brooklyn, combined with the continued improvement of our infastructure, around the world people’s perception of Brooklyn will change for the better…and we all stand to benefit from that.
The 1990’s were Manhattan’s decade, with an explosion of development, cleaning up the city and stemming crime. People from all over the world once again saw New York (and specifically Manhattan) as THE destination. Many New Yorkers griped about the “Disney-fication” of New York, but around the world New York’s star never shined brighter.
The 2000’s has been Washington DC’s decade. New development was been pervasive, companies started moving back into D.C. from Maryland and Virginia and young families (black, white and brown) choose the District over the suburbs to raise their children. Obama’s election was just the cherry on top in terms of the world’s perception of Washington, D.C. as a world class city.
I firmly believe that with completion of Brooklyn Bridge Park, Willoughby Square Park, the completion of the Williamsburg Waterfront, the refurbishment of Downtown Brooklyn, the expansion of BAM, and yes Atlantic Yards, the Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets (and hopefully a certain LeBron James), the 20-teens will be Brooklyn’s decade…the world will finally recognize Brooklyn as the great American city this it always has been.
I think if you really want to improve Brooklyn’s status as a desirable place to live, take every dollar earmarked for this boondoggle and spend it on improving schools and the subways.
The Dodgers left 52 years ago. Time to grow up and let it go.
Rukiddingme;
I would advise that you read Pete Hamill’s writing on the matter. He writes about the three death blows to Brooklyn’s image: a) the Dodgers moving out; b) the folding of the Eagle and c) the closing of the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
His words, not mine.
Another book on the subject is “When Brooklyn Was The World”.
A sports team makes a place desirable to live. Really? Is that why everyone flocks to live in the Bronx? I gotta say having been born and raised in Brooklyn and having grown up hearing all about Ebbets field and the Dodgers games from my parents I never heard about how Brooklyn became a less desirable place to live when they packed up and left.
What Johnny said, indeed.
Betcha real “affordable” housing, the kind Ratner recruited the now invisible ACORN, Rev. Daughtry, and BUILD to support, will NEVER be built. There will always be a million excuses – we couldn’t get the bond money, there are too many market rate units out there, we need the space for parking, we never promised to build on site, and we can’t afford to buy another site, blah, blah, blah.
I’m also cynical enough to state outright that apart from a few token high profile jobs, the people who thought that belonging to BUILD would help them in the building trades will never see full time, well paying, skilled construction jobs, either. Right after having the BUILD guys make spectacles of themselves at FCNY functions and city meetings, Ratner started tearing down Ward’s Bakery. He did not use BUILD members, as it was subbed out to some construction company that used their guys. Way to go, and a portent of the future.
I suppose this was inevitable… I just hope my currently sleepy and quiet corner (Carlton and Prospect Place) doesn’t become clogged with construction traffic, and later, traffic of fans attending the Nets games. We shall see.