PM Update: Atlantic Yards Eminent Domain Suit Dismissed

A Federal judge has dismissed the eminent domain lawsuit brought against Atlantic Yards. Residents and businesses that refused to sell their businesses or leases to Forest City Ratner had filed the suit to stop the taking of property for the project. The judge ruled that the suit belongs in Federal court but said that the plaintiffs had not proven their case that the taking of property did not serve a primarily public purpose. Crains quotes developer Bruce Ratner as saying: "Today's decision is an important victory not only for Atlantic Yards but for Brooklyn as well. This decision means we are one step closer to creating over 2,200 units of affordable housing, thousands of construction and office jobs and bringing the Nets to Brooklyn." Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn attorney Matthew Brinckerhoff said in a statement issued by DDDB that "We will appeal the ruling. We are confident that the appellate court will allow this case to proceed to trial, at which the citizens of New York will finally learn the real reason plaintiffs’ properties were selected to be forcibly taken, and why Ratner was chosen to reap an unprecedented financial windfall."