Brooklyn's 8 Million Square Foot Atlantic Yards Project Approved

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