The lawsuit was brought on by opponents of the Atlantic Yards project, who were opposing public approvals of the project. "We believe that the decision was wrongly decided and we are determined to appeal and win," notes Jeffrey Baker of Young, Sommer, Ward, Ritzenberg, Baker & Moore, who is the lead attorney for the community plaintiffs.
Bruce Ratner, CEO and chairman of Forest City Ratner Cos., says in a prepared statement that "we are very pleased with Judge Madden's decision, as it further clears the way for Atlantic Yards and the thousands of jobs, affordable housing units and world-class arena--the Barclays Center--that will accompany the project. After an exhaustive three-year review process, we are continuing to move full speed ahead on the project and today's decision is a significant step forward."
Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn's Daniel Goldstein explains that "we are disappointed by the court's ruling." He also notes that Atlantic Yards cannot move forward while the 13 plaintiffs, including homeowners, business owners and tenants, are in federal court in a separate case challenging "New York State's unconstitutional use of eminent domain." Goldstein continues that DDDB expects to prevail in that lawsuit as well as on the appeal of Judge Joan Madden's decision.
Construction work on Atlantic Yards began in February 2007. According to Forest City Ratner, the Barclays Center is expected to open sometime in 2010. To date, roughly 50% of the structures on the site have been demolished or are in the process of being demolished. Twenty-five structures have been demolished and an additional eight buildings, including the former Ward Bread Building, are being demolished or are slated to be demolished in the short term, the company notes. There are 11 vacant lots and 28 other remaining buildings. More than $40 million worth of contracts have already been awarded to contractors for work on the site thus far.
As of now, the federal eminent domain lawsuit was dismissed in June , as GlobeSt.com reported; however. the opponents have filed an appeal. The Atlantic Yards project was first introduced in 2003. After revisions to the initial plan and much public debate, the current plan will take a 22-acre part of Brooklyn and transform it into a mixed-use area that will include a stadium for the New Jersey Nets basketball team. Architect Frank Gehry is the master designer for the entire project, which includes 16 high-rise buildings, more than 6,000 residential units, 247,000 sf of retail and eight acres of public parks.
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com and GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
