The plaintiffs in the Atlantic Yards eminent domain case before the State Court of Appeals yesterday landed some punches but probably fell short of a knock-out, according to Atlantic Yards Report. Much of the substance of yesterday's arguments, which were limited to 15 minutes per side, focused on whether the State should apply a stricter definition of public use in OK'ing seizure by eminent domain and whether the ESDC erred in not considering the amount of profits a private entity (Forest City Ratner, in this case) stood to make in the deal. The lawyer for Goldstein et al argued that, depending on the size of Ratner's potential profit, the benefit to the public could be merely "incidental" in comparison. On a related note, a petition again Ratner getting stimulus funds for Atlantic Yards has been started here.
ED Argument Touches on Public/Private Benefit [AY Report]
How Much Profit WILL Ratner Make on AY? [Brooklyn Paper]
Atlantic Yards Case Starts in State Appeals Court [Brownstoner]
