Updated 04/22/2010 12:39 AM
Forest City Ratner Pays Millions To Have Atlantic Yards Residents Relocate
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Atlantic Yards developer Forest City Ratner announced Wednesday it has reached a monetary agreement to have the remaining residents relocate from the area of the multimillion-dollar high-rise and sports arena project in Downtown Brooklyn.
Company officials did not discuss the specifics of the deal, but said that renters living in seven units in the footprint of the future project were offered yesterday an average of $80,000 and an additional $5,000 to aid with moving.
The developer also offered the renters the option to live in the new Atlantic Yards buildings, and to cover the difference in rent in the interim.
Daniel Goldstein, right, an outspoken opponent to the project who belongs to the advocacy group Develop, Don't Destroy Brooklyn, was paid $3 million for his three-bedroom apartment in the Atlantic Yards area.
"What I did today was hopefully protect my family and end up on my feet after fighting like heck for seven years not for to reach this day, but not to reach this day," Goldstein said.
As part of his settlement agreement, Goldstein says he's no longer allowed to be a spokesperson for Develop, Don't Destroy Brooklyn. However, he says he will still continue to speak out against the project as a private citizen.
"Atlantic Yards is an illegitimate project that got where it is today through an illegitimate process -- a breakdown of democracy," Goldstein said.
Goldstein and his family had already been facing eviction after the state took the property through eminent domain. They were legally obligated to move by May 17, but will now leave by May 7.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Barclays Center, the planned future home of basketball's New Jersey Nets, was held in the disputed area last month. The arena is expected to be completed sometime in 2012.