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Atlantic Yards Closing: A Long Time Coming »
December 29, 2009
EMINENT DOMAINIA: The Big Apple Bites!
The Brooklyn Paper, Judge puts breaks on Broadway Triangle
by Andy Campbell
A Manhattan Supreme Court justice halted all further operations in the “Broadway Triangle” last week, only one day after City Council voted in favor of rezoning the mostly commercial land into residential space.
Justice Emily Goodman granted a restraining order last Tuesday after opponents filed a second lawsuit against the city rezoning, claiming that city officials steered the land to two politically connected groups in a back room deal.
The stay is effective until the lawsuit gets its first hearing in March, buying a bit of hope for the Broadway Triangle Community Coalition.
“The justice’s decision shows that there’s merit to the lawsuit,” said Marty Needleman, the coalition’s attorney. “It’s really gonna raise the ante for Bloomberg.”
...Councilwoman Diana Reyna (D–Bushwick), who was once Lopez’s protege, has opposed the Broadway Triangle plans, calling the proposal a flat-out lie. She held her head in her hands and sobbed when vote tallies were announced last week.
NoLandGrab: While some will argue that the city's Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP) is far preferable to an Altantic Yards-style state override of local zoning and control, the Broadway Triangle situation proves that when powerful interests want your land, it doesn't much matter. One difference, though — at least this judge appears capable of spotting a rigged bidding process when she sees one.
Posted by eric at December 29, 2009 11:33 AM