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Bruce Ratner, chairman and CEO of Forest City Ratner, appeared on Bloomberg Television’s “In the Loop” (see video
on the jump) to discuss the New York real estate market and, of course, his
Atlantic Yards project. The developer said that if the economy tanks
again, and experiences a double dip the city would not come out as
cleanly as it did the first time around. The widespread layoffs being
announced by banks combined with existing budget woes would strain the
city. However, because the city’s economy is more diversified than it
was even five years ago, he still believes it would fare better than
most other markets. [more]

The nearly football field-size property across the street from the under-construction Barclays Center in Brooklyn may soon become a large party space, and the chief beneficiary is one of the early opponents of the project, according to the Brooklyn Paper. The property, on Pacific Street just across Flatbush Avenue from the Barclays Center, is being marketed online as “perfect for ‘Dave and Busters’ type” entertainment (although Dave and Busters appears off the list) by owner Henry Weinstein, a former foe of the $4.9 billion Atlantic Yards development. [more]

A homeless shelter serving a predominantly African-American population at 603 Dean Street in Downtown Brooklyn, within the planned Atlantic Yards development area, was shut down yesterday, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, through the use of eminent domain, sparking outrage in the community. Local officials, including City Council member Letitia James and State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, joined neighborhood advocates and Freddy’s Bar, whose outlandish protests of the Atlantic Yards eminent domain seizure have drawn local exposure, in protesting the closure of the Pacific Dean Shelter. The vigil, which began at midnight yesterday outside the recently-closed facility, came on the heels of a weekend-long protest of the shuttering. “I will put myself on the ground in front of the bulldozers,” Montgomery said during the protest Saturday. “I will do anything I can to stop this.” The video above contains footage of the protest. [more]

With the Atlantic Yards deal officially closed and with construction begun on Bruce Ratner‘s new Barclays Center, the Atlantic Yards Report blog took to the streets last weekend to find out what the project’s impact will be on the surrounding area. Cars were locked in traffic, after those heading south were diverted from Fifth to Sixth avenues, as per the new traffic plan. The surrounding blocks offer both intact residential housing and several empty lots, which could be used as evidence by supporters or opponents of the project. On Bergen and Dean streets, near the site of two buildings already demolished by Forest City Ratner, two rowhouses are for sale. Signs for the new Barclays Center are already up on the western part of the site’s footprint.

The New York State Court of Appeals will hear an appeal from nine
plaintiffs whose homes would be demolished if construction on Bruce
Ratner’s long-delayed Atlantic Yards project is given the green light.
After a lower court ruled in favor of Ratner, he said this appeal is
the “final hurdle” before construction can finally begin. However, the
plaintiffs claim it’s unconstitutional to use eminent domain to benefit
a private developer. “The government should only be able to take your
property if they can show that it’s going to be for a true public use,
for a utility or a highway,” said Matthew Brinckerhoff, a lawyer for
the plaintiffs. The appeal will be heard in October but a Ratner
spokesperson said the company intends to be in construction before the end
of the year [more]