Judge Dismisses Atlantic Yards Lawsuit

BROOKLYN, NY-New York State Supreme Court Judge Joan Madden has ruled against 26 community groups led by Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn in their protest against the Atlantic Yards project. The challenge was towards the Empire State Development Corp.’s environmental review and approval of the Forest City Ratner project here.

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.”