Defying opposition, Ratner wins MTA contract.

Dismissing the threat of multiple lawsuits by Brooklyn community activists, Bruce Ratner celebrated his win last week of the bid for the redevelopment of Atlantic Yards. A spokesman for the company said Forest City Ratner did everything possible to win community support and now looks forward to breaking ground on the Nets arena and some of the planned residential buildings by next summer.

On September 14, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that it was satisfied with Ratner's improved offer of $100 million for the Yards and was awarding the contract to him. Two bids were submitted for the site, one by Forest City and one by Extell Development Company, but on July 27 the agency resolved that it would give only Ratner additional time to revise his bid to make it acceptable to the MTA. The agency's main concern was the amount of cash Ratner was willing to pay for the development rights--he originally offered only $50 million, claiming the city would get back its investment from the revenues his project was going to create. Extell, by contrast, offered $150 million, though the sum still fell short of the more than $200 million the Altantic Yards are estimated to be worth.

"We had a meeting and everyone had a chance to speak, including members of the public and [MTA] chairman [Peter] Kalikow, and the issue was resolved by a vote of 10 to 1," said Mercedes Padilla, a spokesperson for the MTA.

However, some Brooklynites felt that their comments fell on deaf ears and are planning to take their case to court. According to Brooklyn councilwoman Letitia James, the deal was rigged from the start.

"There is a significant number of groups who have very serious concerns about the MTA negotiating exclusively with forest City Ranter and now tins project was always tailored for Forest City Ratner. It underscores the cynicism many people have about dirty politics and back-door deals," James said. "So it was a foregone conclusion, but clearly, the fight is not over. The community will not cede city planning to a developer. I anticipate litigation."

Barry Baum, speaking on behalf of Forest City Ranter, dismissed her charge, noting that the company made a concerted effort to introduce itself to the community, consider its input and make sure the Atlantic Yards project created benefits for area residents. "We initially announced a preliminary plan for the development two years ago and won unprecedented support," he said.

"Numerous community organizations have signed agreements with us for jobs and affordable housing. All that was taken into consideration by the MTA, which is why they selected Forest City Ratner."

Forest City Ratner's rival, Extell Development Company, would not comment on the decision, but it is still a possibility the developer might sue the MTA. Even back in July, some members of the MTA board felt Extell should have been offered the same chance to change its bid as Forest City Ratner, but their proposal was never given serious consideration, in spite of offering $100 million more for the right to use the site.

But if Forest City Ratner's victory seems far from complete, there is at least one person in Brooklyn who is as enthusiastic about it as Bruce Ratner himself.

"We are going to roll up our sleeves and take Atlantic Yards to its great potential, so that it will be something that everyone, even those who may now oppose it, ultimately see the great benefit of," said Brooklyn borough president Marry Markowitz.

"The MTA sealed this deal because it works best for Brooklyn, the City and the State by producing significant tax revenue, a world class arena, thousands of new jobs and thousands of affordable new homes for Brooklynites."

The next step in the development plan will be a public review process administered by the Empire State Development Corporation, during which members of the public will be able to voice their concerns about traffic congestion and other reservations they have about the project.