National Basketball Association

Court: NY can seize property for Nets arena

Published Nov. 24, 2009 3:10 p.m. ET

foxsports

In a 6-1 ruling Tuesday, the Court of Appeals says the Empire State Development Corp.'s finding that the area was blighted was enough to justify taking the land.

A group of tenants and owners claim the seizure is unconstitutional. They say developer Bruce Ratner's proposed $4.9 billion, 22-acre Atlantic Yards project mainly enriches private interests, while the state constitution requires public use for taking land.

Ratner's proposed development includes office towers, apartments and a new arena for the NBA's Nets.