Liza and myself actually walked by the Atlantic Yards site today at about 1 PM or so after an interview, and had a chance to enjoy the traffic jams that already choke Atlantic Avenue before the first spade has hit the ground. Now that the Public Authorities Control Board has greenlighted Atlantic Yards, that enjoyment can be more broadly shared by 30,000 more people who aren't just passing through, but actually live there.

So is this a done deal? Not quite, says Develop Don't Destroy, the local activist group that has been fighting to protect their homes in the face of near-unanimous opposition from the Powers on High. I spoke briefly with Daniel Goldstein about their mood and the next steps:

"Clearly, today shows that public pressure is ignored. Personally, I've had little faith that our most powerful leaders in this state would do the right thing. But in a way we’re fortunate. All of the political maneuvering can be put behind us, and the plaintiffs and the community can go to a court and seek relief based on the law, instead of contending with fixed, inside deals. And when we win our case, the project will have to be scrapped for a plan that benefits the many, instead of the corporate few."

With the failure of the political process – both houses of the legislature had the same number of hearings on the largest development in history in the City's largest borough; unfortunately, that number was zero – the battle now moves to the courts, both Federal and State. From a DDDB press release:

“Except for a few courageous and principled elected officials, the fix has been in for a long time on Atlantic Yards. Today’s vote is no surprise. The surprise for the PACB, the ESDC, Mr. Ratner and his supporters is that the constitutionality and legality of their illegitimate project has yet to be proved. Fortunately, we still have three branches of government.”

Fortunately for all of us, Louis XVI's claim that legality is presumed if the King takes an action isn't valid law even in this state, however much the principle may appeal to the three men in a room.

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