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October 14, 2009
Atlantic Yards case hits NY's top court
AP, via Google
by Michael Virtanen
Developer Bruce Ratner's proposed $4.9 billion, 22-acre Atlantic Yards project mainly enriches private interests, while the state constitution requires public use for taking land, attorney Matthew Brinckerhoff told the Court of Appeals.
...
Empire State Development Corp. attorney Philip Karmel countered the area in Brooklyn was found blighted as a whole, and this was a legitimate government use of eminent domain to take property for public purposes. Part of the site, including an old railyard, had been designated for urban renewal for decades, he said.Judge Robert Smith said the railyard was the north end, but the south end was apparently in better shape. "Have you gerrymandered this area to fit what the developer wanted to build?" he asked.
Mr. Karmel said the detailed site study found one or more blight characteristics throughout.
The AP story was also featured on CrainsNewYork.com.
Posted by lumi at October 14, 2009 7:56 PM