Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Judge Okays Atlantic Yards Eminent Domain
By
Ben Muessig
Published Mar 1, 2010
Modified Mar 1, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Muessig
Published Mar 1, 2010
Modified Mar 1, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A judge ruled that state officials can use eminent domain proceedings to acquire properties located in the footprint of the $4.9 billion Atlantic Yards development, reportedly "removing the most significant legal hurdle remaining before construction can begin." The decision allows developer Bruce Ratner to obtain properties including the home of project adversary Dan Goldstein and Freddy's Bar, where protesters handcuffed themselves to the bar to demonstrate against the planned arena and high-rises on the border of Prospect Heights and Fort Greene.
According to the Brooklyn Paper, state Supreme Court Justice Abe Gerges ruled that 14 claims by project opponents regarding issues including the timing of the condemnations and recent modifications of the plan had no "merit." Last year, the project seemed stalled before an Appeals Court dismissed lawsuits challenging the development and Ratner managed to sell $511 million in bonds to get financing. Ratner—who project opponents attempted to arrest last month —will now likely be able to move forward by permanently closing streets around the project site and beginning construction on the Barclays Center.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, a longtime Atlantic Yards supporter, issued the following statement:
Today's ruling by Judge Abraham Gerges of the New York State Supreme Court, Kings County affecting the Atlantic Yards development means that the creation of much-needed affordable housing, solid union jobs and permanent employment opportunities for Brooklynites can finally begin—and that our nation’s 'fourth-largest city,' Brooklyn, USA, will soon have a national professional sports team and a world-class sports and event facility back in our borough after 53 years! Brooklyn's shovels are, and have been, ready. So, let's pick them up and get to work!
Tagged
abe gerges
Atlantic Yards
brooklyn nets
Bruce Ratner
court
Daniel Goldstein
development
eminent domain
forest city
fort greene
new jersey nets
prospect heights
Ben Muessig
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Central Park birders, others remember 63-year-old woman killed in park
People who said they knew her described her as an artist and a familiar presence in the Ramble.
By
Charles Lane
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 7:04 p.m. ET
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
News
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .