Atlantic Yards Eminent Domain Lawsuit to be Filed

The first shot in the decisive battle over Atlantic Yards will be fired today, not in Brooklyn, but on the steps of City Hall. There will be a 1:00PM news conference to announce that Brooklyn property owners and tenants are filing a lawsuit against the use of eminent domain and the taking of their properties by New York State for Forest City Ratner's Atlantic Yards development proposal in Prospect Heights. Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn sent out a press release yesterday afternoon announcing the briefing.

With Atlantic Yards Report noting that the developer is hoping for final approval of the project very soon by both the Empire State Development Corporation and the Public Authorities Control Board, the success of the eminent domain lawsuit will determine the final outcome of the development. Opponents of the Forest City Ratner plan, which requires use of eminent domain, are confident they can prevail in in such a suit.