After more than 30 losses in federal and state courts, critics of the Atlantic Yards project have finally won something, but the state court decision does NOT halt construction on Barclays Center and is unlikely to slow it down either.
Critics have long complained that the state development corporation, the ESDC, did not adequately address extensive changes made to the overall Atlantic Yards plan in 2009, including an extended buildout of the $5 billion project. State court judges had rejected the argument, granting the ESDC great latitude. Tuesday, a Manhattan judge who had originally ruled in favor of the ESDC, permitted critics to re-argue their case, giving them one final court hearing.
However, Judge Marcy Friedman did not stay arena construction and asked the ESDC in particular for "findings" on why the new plan shouldn't require a new environmental impact statement. The arena, meanwhile, continues on time and on-budget. Even critic Norman Oder suggests that it's "unclear whether the ruling will fundamentally change anything".
- Justice Friedman slams ESDC for "yet another failure of transparency," says 10-year buildout wasn't justified, requires ESDC to make new findings - Norman Oder - Atlantic Yards Report
- Judge agrees to hear further arguments in Atlantic Yards case - John Brennan - The Record
- Judge sides with Atlantic Yards opponents on environmental review - Rich Calder - New York Post
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Judge Rebukes State Agency Over Atlantic Yards Timetable - Andrew Newman - New York Times
- Atlantic Yards Judge Questions Environmental Review - Andrew M. Harris & Karen Friefeld - Bloomberg
- NY agency must revisit Atlantic Yards impact: judge - Reuters
- Yards foes win a big case that will not likely change a thing - Stephen Brown - Brooklyn Paper
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Atlantic Yards Returns to Court on Date Unknown, For Reasons Unknown - Ryan Thompson - Brooklyn Eagle
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Judge rips environmental review of Atlantic Yards - WABC