(To read more on the multifamily market, click here.)

BROOKLYN, NY-The MTA will negotiate exclusively with Forest City Ratner for property at the intersection of Atlantic and Flatbush avenues here. The plan to construct housing over the Long Island Rail Road yards is part of a larger effort that will bring an arena for the Ratner-owned New Jersey Nets to the area.

Extell Development Co. had also bid on the site and for a housing and retail development. In a statement, Gary Barnett, president of Extell said the firm was considering all of its options and was disappointed about the exclusive negotiation period. "They apparently are giving him an opportunity to change his bid. We believe we should be extended the same opportunity." Forest City Ratner's president Bruce Ratner says "we believe we submitted a very strong bid with operational and cash benefits for the MTA and the LIRR."

In March, Forest City signed a memo of understanding with the state and the city for the development of the Atlantic Yards project. The $2.5-billion effort involves the development of a Frank Gehry-designed arena as well as an office, retail and the residential portion. Approximately half of the 4,500 rental units in the proposal will be set aside for low- and moderate-income households.

The first phase of construction on the arena is expected to begin at the end of this year and be completed in the summer of 2006. The entire project is expected to create more than 12,000 construction jobs and approximately 8,500 permanent jobs. According to an economic analysis completed for the city's Economic Development Corp., the net fiscal benefit to the city and state from the project is estimated at $1 billion in present value over the next 30 years.

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