Suit over BK Bridge Park project to stay in Manhattan

UPDATED, April 13, 7:05 p.m.: The ongoing legal dispute over a two-tower development in Brooklyn Bridge Park will remain in Manhattan despite a push to move it to Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation’s wanted to have the case moved to Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported. But Judge Lucy Billings said it was not “consistent with the law,” and the park’s lawyers withdrew the request. She also pushed both sides to reach an agreement and settle.

Community group Brooklyn Heights Association is suing to block RAL Development Services and Oliver’s Realty Group’s [TRDataCustom] Pier 6 development at the park.  The developers are planning to build 266 apartments across two buildings at the pier.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation — who is named in the suit, along with Empire State Development Corporation and developers RAL and Oliver — was trying to move the case to a Brooklyn court. However, Judge Billings said the request was “not consistent with the law.”

She went on to roast the attorneys for both sides over excessive paperwork, according to the paper.

“Who authorized a 100-page memorandum? It makes your arguments look weak and it’s a turn off. What’s the purpose of all these affirmations?” the judge reportedly said. “Maybe they have time to read this in Brooklyn but there’s no time in Manhattan for anything repetitive.”

She urged the parties to come to some sort of agreement before the next court date later in the month, and asked if there is any chance either side will compromise.

“Could you accept some of the project? Is there some flexibility?” she asked, according to the paper. [BK Daily Eagle] — Miriam Hall 

Correction: Due to an error in the source article, an earlier version of this story said the judge ruled the case must remain in Manhattan. In fact, lawyers for the park withdrew their request.