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December 20, 2006
PACB Gives Atlantic Yards Green Light
From NY1 (emphasis added):
After hours of delays, the $4 billion Atlantic Yards project was finally given the go-ahead by a key state board Wednesday.
The third member of the board, Democrat Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, had refused to approve the development, citing lingering concerns over funding. However, Silver changed his mind and cast his ballot in favor of the project at the board meeting Wednesday.
"I have voted for it today because I am satisfied it meets all the necessary criteria under the PACB statute,” said Silver in a statement. “Furthermore, I am pleased the developer is committed to addressing numerous community concerns through several specific actions that will result in significant neighborhood improvements."
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Ratner has already purchased most of the necessary land, but plans to take the rest through eminent domain, a law that allows privately-owned land to be seized by the state for public use.The battle over the Atlantic Yards plan hasn’t ended, however. It could sill end up in the courts. Several community groups are suing to stop it from moving forward.
"We think that they have a good chance of success,” said Jeffrey Baker, the attorney for Develop Don’t Destroy. “Any time that you're challenging a government action, it's an uphill battle for the citizens because the courts defer to the agencies that are doing it. Except, the violations here are so egregious and such a blatant violation of some of the statutory precepts that we expect to be successful."
Posted by lumi at December 20, 2006 9:11 PM