Act 2

It’s happening again!
While (like most things the government handles) the lawsuit filed by the blog Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn’s against the developing entities of the Altaltnic Yards project is still stuck in limbo, another lawsuit has made it’s way out of the woodwork.

Community groups guided by attorney Al Butzel of the Urban Environmental Law Center filed yet another suit on the 18th.

This group is a non-profit organization that exists to help community groups in debacles exactly like this.

And what are his grounds for this suit exactly. It’s very similar to the DDDB’s claim.

Butzel claims that the Empire Sate Development agreed to a reformed timetable for the project that would take decades, but did not update their Environmental Impact Statement to show that the project would cause a massive amount of urban blight for decades to come.

Furthermore, Butzel attacks the ESDC for handing over administrative power in the Project to private developer Bruce Ratner.


"In addition,” he said, “the lawsuit says what I believe to really be the case: this isn't an ESDC project, this is a Ratner project; and ESDC has just handed over the entire keys to the kingdom to Ratner to do what he wants.”

Here's a link to some of Butzel's statements.

Two Roads....

Two roads diverge in Brooklyn. And which will be taken?
Well we’re pretty sure it’s going to be one of the two.
Despite my vague and general reference to roads, I’m quite certain readers of this blog know we are referring to a crossroads in the Atlantic Yards dilemma. Now we’re all sick of the antics that have plagued the deal for years. Lots of he said she said and dung-slinging has most Brooklynites fed up. But is the end nigh?
Possibly. Most will remember the lawsuit filed by DDDB against the Atlantics Yards developers. The suit is still stuck in the muck of NYS court system. But a verdict is expected in the coming weeks.
It is this verdict that can decide the next major movements of the project. A verdict in favor of DDDB and opponents to the deal would cause a definite temporary and possibly permanent halt to the project. Even if the halt isn’t permanent, many feel that the developers, sick and tired of the problems surrounding the project will give up.
A verdict in favor the developers though may seal the fate of the Yards, bringing to fruition the dream of a multi-billion dollar basketball arena, hotel complex, and affordable housing units (although this last ones debatable).
If, indeed, the suit is thrown out, development of the land is not possible it’s probable. The Empire State Development Corporation, who plans on financially supporting Forest City Ratner, the development company in charge, is already putting together bonds to give to Ratner before the years end. That is IF, the lawsuit is thrown out.
So the borough must wait…

Fellow Americans! I promise to change nothing....

Election day has come and gone, and New York City is left with the same old Mayor, and Brooklyn the same old borough President. Soaring high on the wings of victory (wings which cost each campaign record-breaking amounts of money), both leaders promised lots and lots and lots of thing and changes and new horizons and at one point we’re pretty sure they promised immortality to the citizens of NYC. But that’s beside the point.

How many of those promises they'll make good on, no one knows. What we wonder is what will happen to the Atlantic Yards?

Simple answer: the same old stuff.

Bloomberg, throughout the entire run against Thompson did not bring up Atlantic Yards once. So, one can assume his stance is exactly the same. In his new term, he has neglected to comment on it as of yet.

Markowitz on the other hand boasted about his intentions to "break ground" on the project and get it started as soon as possible.

But the DDDB blog has other intentions. Their assault against the Project has reached new heights.

The recent lawsuit filed is just one of the many steps taken.

The most recent of their yearly walk-a-thons drew in record numbers, and fundraisers are having unprecedented success.

Despite this, both governmental leaders show no signs of budging. While propositions for hybrid projects (example, one that allows for the arena but not the construction of residential buildings) have arisen, comments from Markowitz ensure that the support of his office is still behind the project in its complete form.

So the stalemate continues. And while the government stands behind the deal, everything hinges on the judicial ruling on the lawsuit, which is expected in about 2 to 3 weeks.