Brooklyn's 8 Million Square Foot Atlantic Yards Project Approved

The Ghery-designed project, to be built largely on a fallow open railyard, atop the 2nd largest transit station in the U.S., will be filled by 8-million square feet of housing, offices, retail and a new home for the New Jersey Nets basketball team.

2 minute read

December 22, 2006, 12:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg


The largest urban-infill redevelopment project in the US in decades includes an 18,000-seat arena, 6,000 condominium and rental units, 2,250 of which will be for low and moderate income residents, and 8 acres of open space.

Approved yesterday by the Public Authorities Control Board, Atlantic Yards is one step closer to reality. Approval of the project, to be built by Forest City Ratner Companies, comes after the Board quashed a number of other ambitious redevelopment plans in the past two years because of community opposition and political rivalry.

Already a major source of contention amongst planners and citizens alike, questions about the the legality and morality of the use of eminent domain for economic development, public involvement/oversight and finance issues will continue to be debated in the neighborhood and in court. The project is currently facing a federal lawsuit from property owners and tenants who have charged that the seizure of their property was unconstitutional.

Governor Pataki, in the last weeks of his administration, said of the project, "we can build critically needed housing including affordable housing, new community facilities, grand open spaces and increase economic development all across Brooklyn."

There is no question that fans of density and urbanism have cause to celebrate. The paradigm shift it will create in terms of planning and developing 21st century American cities remamins to be seen.

Thanks to Judd Schechtman

Thursday, December 21, 2006 in The New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today