NEW YORK, NY-- More than 5 acres of the proposed project site for Bruce Ratner’s “Atlantic Yards” are privately owned or controlled. These properties–homes and businesses–are spread throughout the proposed  site and some of the properties are located precisely where Ratner intends to build his arena. Unless the developer can gain the deeds and leases to these properties, the arena cannot be built. In addition, much of the rest of the project, including the de-mapping (removal) of City streets required to construct superblocks, cannot be built as proposed.

A map of the project site, overlaid by a property ownership and control map, illustrates how the project’s viability is impacted by the Federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of eminent domain–State seizure of private property which would then be handed over to Forest City Ratner for demolition–for “Atlantic Yards.” In addition to the twelve plaintiffs (representing 2 businesses and 26 residents)  on that Federal suit, there are numerous other individuals who own or control their own property. 

The map can be found here: http://www.dddb.net/php/ownership

“Private citizens own and rent a significant portion of the land where Ratner intends to build his arena, and much of the rest of his ‘Atlantic Yards’ project. This land amounts to more than 5 acres spread throughout the proposed site. Unless the State of New York and Forest City Ratner can seize these private properties, ‘Atlantic Yards,’ as we know it, cannot be built. This decision will be left up to a Federal court, ” said Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn spokesperson Daniel Goldstein. “Even if early construction begins, a victory in Federal court will keep the homes and businesses in the hands of their rightful owners and Bruce Ratner will have to go back to the drawing board.”

Posted: 1.30.07