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June 8, 2007
It came from the Blogosphere... (ED edition)
Blogosphere coverage of the decision on the federal eminent domain case:
Metadish, Judge Rejects Efforts to Stop Atlantic Yards Project Without Discovery or a Trial
It may seem Garaufis’ decision could also be said to be baseless since his decision to dismiss the case came without allowing the plaintiffs to even get as far as discovery.
Freddy’s Bar & Backroom, which has become sort of the unofficial social epicenter of people rallied against the Forestation of Brooklyn, and is also part of the lawsuit told Metadish exclusively, “there’s a lot of disappointment.”
“We’re not giving up,” said Donald O’Finn, manager at Freddy’s. “It’s not the end. We’re not going to give up. We’re going to appeal. We have a 5 year lease and we’re not giving up. A lot of the legal avenues that go into building a project like this have been bypassed.”
The Gowanus Lounge, Brooklinks: Special Eminent Domain Ruling Edition
GL ran a list of the first day's articles and blog commentary.
The Gowanus Lounge, Morning After: Dismissal of Atlantic Yards Doesn't Bode Well for Opponents
The Lounge's take on Judge Garaufis's ruling:
Supporters will cheer the judge's decision in the eminent domain case, as Bruce Ratner did. Opponents will say it isn't over yet, that there will be an appeal and express confidence that an appellate court will rule in their favor. A lot of average Brooklynites that haven't been following every twist and turn of this complex project and its wideranging impact, will simply wonder if this means that the Nets will actually be playing at Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues a few years from now.
...
Any way you cut it, yesterday's court decision was one that did not put joy in the hearts of those that wish to block the Atlantic Yards project. It might be precipitous to say that the end is near, but it's fair to say that the end is a little closer than it was at this time yesterday.
Gothamist, Atlantic Yards' Eminent Domain Lawsuit Dismissed
A federal judge dismissed an eminent domain lawsuit that would have stopped the Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn. The lawsuit, brought by Daniel Goldstein of the vocal anti-AY group Develop - Don't Destroy Brooklyn, claimed that the multi-billion dollar project abused eminent domain, by not having much public benefit, only benefit for developer Bruce Ratner. Judge Nicholas Garaufis dismissed the case, writing, "Plaintiffs have not set forth facts supporting a plausible claim of an unconstitutional taking. Nowhere in the amended complaint or their briefs do plaintiffs sufficiently allege any purpose to confer a private benefit."
Archinect, Meanwhile...Atlantic Yards Suit Dismissed
Quick news item about the judge's ruling, the latest financial revelations and the latest Gehry slam.
Meanwhile, fresh documents reveal even more public debt for private development. The city ends up acting as the bouncer and the borrower to sugarcoat Ratner's deal.
Curbed.com, Atlantic Yards Eminent Domain Ruling React-O-Matic
Reaction from various camps on the Garaufis decision. As usual, some high-minded debate in the comments section too!
Joshing Politics, Judge Garaufis Sides With Atlantic Yards Developers
It is a shame that Judge Garaufis decided that razing neighborhoods was a way to cure "blight." You know Judge, there are better ways of making a neighborhood better than just bulldozing it and giving it over to people like Bruce Ratner. NBA owners have enough money and this one doesn't need anymore, especially at the expensive of longtime Brooklyn residents. Thankfully this will go to the appellate court where some common sense can hopefully be found.
NoLandGrab: To be clear, the Judge didn't make the claim himself that the area is "blighted." Essentially, he concluded that the plaintiffs would not be able to prove their case that the blight designation was applied primarily to justify the boundaries that were pre-determined by Ratner. The shame is that he didn't give the plaintifs the opportunity.
FUNKYPUNDIT, Atlantic Yards Update
Tom notes:
With an appeal forthcoming and another suit challenging the environmental review currently in state courts, it will be a long time yet before this matter is resolved.
Lawsuits Report, NBA 1, Brooklyn residents 0
In one of the few times you’ll see ESPN.com covering issues of zoning and such, U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis dismissed a challenge to the so-called Atlantic Yards project.
Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn, EMINENT DOMAIN LAWSUIT DISMISSED
The Atlantic Yards lawsuit was dismissed yesterday. Check out Atlantic Yards Report and No Land Grab for the gory details.
Posted by lumi at June 8, 2007 9:12 AM