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June 6, 2006
Ratner issues June 15 deadline on Ridge Hill
The Journal News
By Michael Gannon
Here's the latest news about Forest City Ratner's other local development controversy. Besides being proposed by the same developer, issues related to Atlantic Yards are a lack of governmental transparency through use of public-private agencies, financing by Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTS), mixed-use development with affordable housing (including seniors) and lack of a satisfactory traffic circulation plan.
YONKERS — Developer Bruce Ratner has given the city a June 15 deadline to resolve issues that have halted his company's Ridge Hill Village in court or risk losing the $600 million project.
Ratner, president and chief executive of Brooklyn-based Forest City Ratner, delivered the message Wednesday, City Council President Chuck Lesnick said, in a City Hall meeting involving him, Ratner and Mayor Phil Amicone.
It came nearly a month after a state Supreme Court justice invalidated a City Council vote that led to the project's approval last year and just a day after a public forum Lesnick organized to explore alternative ways to get traffic to and from the site. The forum failed to produce any readily apparent resolution to the impasse.
"He said to me, 'Look, time is money,' " Lesnick said. "He wanted to know this was being held to some sort of schedule."
Forest City Ratner officials would not comment on the deadline. Amicone spokesman David Simpson, however, challenged the council president to take a definitive position.
Posted by lumi at June 6, 2006 7:24 AM