Judge Gives Ratner Go-Ahead To Start Demo
February 14, 2006 — A Manhattan judge ruled in favor of Forest City Ratner, allowing the developer to demolish 5 buildings that stand in the footprints of the proposed Nets Arena in Brooklyn. Although community groups tried to stop him, the judge says Ratner has the right to tear down 5 buildings near the Atlantic…
February 14, 2006 — A Manhattan judge ruled in favor of Forest City Ratner, allowing the developer to demolish 5 buildings that stand in the footprints of the proposed Nets Arena in Brooklyn. Although community groups tried to stop him, the judge says Ratner has the right to tear down 5 buildings near the Atlantic Railyards. Ratner says they’re unsafe while plaintiff’s argued an independent evaluation should be required. The buildings sit on land owned by Ratner. Asbestos removal is underway and with this victory, Ratner hopes to start demolition as early as next week. “It’s a relief to think that we’re very close to demolishing these structures, which are a hazard to the people who work and live in the adjoining buildings,” said Jeffrey Braun, an attorney for Ratner. There was a victory for the dozen community groups that banded together against Ratner. They were able to get a lawyer removed from the case. David Paget, an attorney for the Empire State Development Corporation, which is overseeing the environmental impact of the project, once worked for Ratner. The judge agreed with the plaintiffs calling it a conflict of interest.
Judge Rules in Favor of Ratner [NY1]
Demolition Can Proceed for Arena [NY Times]
Key Buildings Get Heave-Ho [NY Daily News]
“Anonymous 11:32, there have been proposals for that site for almost thirty years – since before the original Flatbush Avenue Station was torn down. You should see some of them. Ratner isn’t the first person to want to put something there, and probably won’t be the last after he fails.”
My point was not that there have never been any other proposals. David Clone was criticizing David for paying lip service to good development – my response was that none of the prominent arena opponents bothered to lift a finger about development either until AFTER Ratner had unveiled his proposal. In other words, they have only reacted to him and did not seem to care the least bit about developing the railyards before then.
Actually, parts of different proposals have been built:
The two malls and the office towers at the Atlantic Avenue Terminal.
Sorry, but these are not lovely in any sense.
And yet nothing got built…sort of proves my point that Ratner is THE proposal for this generation – if AY doesnt get built then dont expect anything on the site of at least another 20yrs.
Of course yesterdays rulings seem to indicate that a climate exists that may actually allow AY to be built.
Anonymous 11:32, there have been proposals for that site for almost thirty years – since before the original Flatbush Avenue Station was torn down. You should see some of them. Ratner isn’t the first person to want to put something there, and probably won’t be the last after he fails.
“Rich people should get what they want. Everyone who stands in their way is a shrieking know-it-all.”
Well put. Except I would change it to “rich people always get what they want”. The second sentence is fine, though.
Rich people should get what they want. Everyone who stands in their way is a shrieking know-it-all.
“I will pay lip service to good development, but won’t lift a finger to see that it happens.”
David Clone, kindly show me when and where Dan Goldstein, Tish James, Patti Hagan, or any other Ratner opponents called for development of the railyards prior to the unveiling of the AY plans. After you do this, then you can criticize David.
This is nothing but sour grapes. It’s tough to lose, isn’t it?
“anonymous, the NLG point, while admittedly no well made is not the 3k differnence but that Paget himself received MUCH MORE than 30k for conflicted services rendered to Ratner/ESDC.”
Then why didn’t they state as much? It’s indicative of the tone that the site takes. In the end, they come across as lecturing, and that alienates potential supporters.
I agree with Shahn. This is a blow to the opposition. At best, they may stall the procedure a bit, but I think the best they can do is hope for some scaling back.
I will pay lip service to good development, but won’t lift a finger to see that it happens.