From The Gothamist:
Ratner’s lawyers are warning the court that the lengthy appeal process is putting the project in jeopardy because “the credit markets are in turmoil at this time . . . There is a serious question as to whether, given the current state of the debt market, the underwriters will be able to proceed with the financing for the arena while the appeal is pending.” If the appeal is not quickly resolved, developers “are likely to encounter significant difficulties and cost increases in concluding the bond financing that is essential to the arena's completion,” lawyers argue.
The environmental review suit is one of two lawsuits currently stalling the project; Develop Don’t Destroy has a second suit in federal court challenging the state’s use of eminent domain to condemn privately owned properties to make way for the 22-acre development. A lawyer for the MTA, arguing for project, insisted in court on Friday that the legal battle was having “a chilling affect” and was simply a stalling tactic. A spokesman for Develop Don’t Destroy told the Brooklyn Paper, “Our lawsuit was not ‘designed’ for anything. It was filed in order to make sure that a state agency follows state laws.”
Gasp! State agencies are supposed to follow state laws? Who woulda thunk it? By the way, why is the MTA arguing for Ratner? Shouldn't they be looking at what all that concrete and population influx will do to tax our mass transit system before allowing taxpayer/straphangers money to represent Ratner in court?
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