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March 1, 2010
Judge gives Atlantic Yards project the green light; Ratner plans to break ground Mar. 11
NY Daily News
by Erin Durkin
Developer Bruce Ratner is planning to break ground in Brooklyn next week on a new Nets arena after a judge handed private property to the state for the Atlantic Yards project.
"Today's court ruling marks the transition from the obstruction to the construction phase," Forest City Ratner executive vice president Bruce Bender said Monday.
Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Abraham Gerges tossed a challenge to the eminent domain condemnation - a final blow to property owners who fought the wrecking ball for six years.
State officials said the occupants would be evicted in the next few months - but Ratner plans to hold a ground-breaking ceremony March 11.
..."It feels like I live in a state run by crooks," said Daniel Goldstein, set to get the boot from his Pacific St. condo.
"Our state government ... has bent over backwards to give Bruce Ratner whatever he wants, including my home, and the homes of other citizens."
Patrons at Freddy's bar have threatened to chain themselves to the storefront to battle the eviction.
"There's chains on the bar and a lot of people will be buying handcuffs," said Freddy's regular and opposition organizer Steve de Seve.
"People aren't just going to put up with this ruling."
Additional coverage...
NetsAreScorching, GROUNDBREAKING SET FOR BROOKLYN
Expect preliminary construction work around the site to start heating up, in the meantime, according to the report. Evictions won’t begin until a few months.
...A spokeswoman for the Empire State Development Corporation said an “orderly” relocation is expected, but those who fight eviction will be forcibly removed by the Sheriff’s office.
Posted by eric at March 1, 2010 10:19 PM