N.Y. court rules for Nets arena builder

NEW YORK, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Plans to build the new home of the NBA's New Jersey Nets in Brooklyn got a boost Tuesday from a New York Court of Appeals ruling, its developer says.

Bruce Ratner, developer of the proposed Atlantic Yards project on Brooklyn's Flatbush Avenue, said the appellate court ruling allowing the use of eminent domain was "light-switch" for the long-delayed project, The New York Times reported.

"I look at this as the last major hurdle; now we can proceed as we've wanted to for the last three years," he told the newspaper. "The courts have made it clear that this project represents a significant public benefit for the people of Brooklyn and the entire city."

The 6-1 Court of Appeals vote gave the city right to seize the private homes and businesses from holdouts who refused to sell their property to allow the building of the 18,000-seat basketball arena for the NBA's Nets, who have long played in East Rutherford, N.J.

The ruling could have broad implications in reaffirming the legality of cities' use of eminent domain at a time when many state lawmakers are seeking ways to curb government's power to condemn private property, the Times said.