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October 28, 2006
Kelo v. Pataki. Not.
Homeland Stupidity
When Atlantic Yards was announced in 2003, it was made clear that property within its perimeters would ultimately be acquired via eminent domain, under the aegis of New York State’s powerful and quasi-public Empire State Development Corporation. The “public use” justification required by the U.S. Constitution would be the projected trickle down effect of increased tax revenues, construction jobs, and “affordable” housing. Over the past few years Forest Ratner has been buying out property owners. Some went willingly. Others bowed to what they feared was inevitable. But a hard core didn’t move or mourn. Instead they organized an surprisingly effective resistance.The resistors’ latest gambit is a federal law suit (Goldstein v. Pataki) filed on October 26th in the Eastern District, charging that the use of eminent domain on behalf of Forest City Ratner and Atlantic Yards is unconstitutional. Among those named as defendants are Governor George Pataki, Bruce Ratner, Forest City Ratner in its various permutations, Empire State Development Corporation Chairman Charles Gargano, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
No one can say Brooklynites lack brass.
Posted by amy at October 28, 2006 7:16 PM