On January 19, 2010 at 2:30 PM, New York Supreme Court Justice Marcy Friedman will hear arguments in a suit 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 328, 80 Centre Street in Manhattan.

Residents of the Pacific Dean Annex shelter on Dean and Pacific Streets between Carlton and Vanderbilt Avenues were advised Monday, December 7 that the facility would close permanently on January 15 and begin demolition shortly thereafter.

Shelter management explained that displaced families are receiving no assistance from the Atlantic Yards developer, Forest City Ratner.

As of January 8, the Fifth Avenue Committee had leased permanent housing to four of the displaced families.

The BrooklynSpeaks sponsors who filed suit against the approval of the Atlantic Yards modified general project plan considered carefully the current situation of the project and the opportunity for realizing greater accountability from the Empire State Development Corporation and the Atlantic Yards developer before deciding to pursue litigation. This article by Ezra Goldstein of the Park Slope Civic Council describes his organization's decision to join the suit.

Prominent civic and community development organizations and local elected officials who represent the communities surrounding the Atlantic Yards Project, gathered on the steps of City Hall on Thursday, November 19th to announce the joint filing of a lawsuit that challenges the ESDC’s approval of the Atlantic Yards Modified General Project Plan.

The suit contends that the plan was approved without sufficient study of the impacts of its extended construction schedule and completion risks. It also alleges that the ESDC has illegally delegated to FCRC so much of its governmental power to determine the future content and configuration of the project as to have abandoned its obligations under the law.