Oral arguments scheduled for motion to reconsider decision in suit to reverse approval of 2009 MGPP

On June 29, 2010 at 11 am, New York Supreme Court Justice Marcy Friedman will hear oral arguments on a motion for reconsideration that was filed by several BrooklynSpeaks sponsors, elected officials and individuals challenging the approval of the Atlantic Yards Modified General Project Plan. The case will be heard in Room 335, 80 Centre Street in Manhattan.

On April 8th, a group of BrooklynSpeaks sponsors filed a motion asking that the Court reconsider its decision not to reverse approval of the Atlantic Yards Modified General Project Plan (MGPP). The petitioners asked that Judge to review new evidence that was not considered when she made her decision. The new evidence consists of a master development agreement that was executed between the developer, Forest City Ratner (FCR) and other parties in the Atlantic Yards project, after the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) had already agreed to approve the 2009 Modified General Project Plan. That agreement was withheld from public disclosure until after the hearing in the case.

Judge Friedman's decision to proceed with oral arguments on the sponsors' motion to reconsider represents an important opportunity to put before the court new information from the development agreement indicating the 2009 MGPP failed to address impacts of the Atlantic Yards project that ESDC knew were not only possible, but likely. Members of the community are encouraged to join us for the June 29 hearing.