BREAKING NEWS - Atlantic Yards Approved by PACB

http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=65262

FROM NY1
December 20, 2006

After hours of delays, the Atlantic Yards project was finally given the go-ahead by a key state board Wednesday.

Governor George Pataki and State Senate Majority leader Joe Bruno control two of the three votes on the Public Authorities Control Board. Both were known supporters of the plan.

The third member of the board, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, had refused to approve the development, citing lingering concerns over funding. However, Silver changed his mind and cast his ballot in favor of the project at the board meeting Wednesday. Silver’s vote against the West Side Stadium plan last year effectively killed that project.

A unanimous vote by the board was required.

The battle over the Atlantic Yards plan hasn’t ended, however. It could sill end up in the courts. Several community groups are suing to stop it from moving forward.

Developer Bruce Ratner's plan includes office and apartment towers, plus a sports arena for the Nets basketball team. He's already purchased most of the necessary land, but plans to take the rest through eminent domain, a law that allows privately-owned land to be seized by the state for public use.