Part 3/9:
However, Ratner's ambitious scheme hit a brick wall. The land earmarked for development was not empty; it was home to a vibrant community that had thrived for generations. The need for eminent domain to forcefully acquire properties for private enterprise raised serious ethical concerns. The grassroots movement “Develop, Don’t Destroy Brooklyn” emerged, advocating that development should not come at the cost of community erasure. The resulting backlash turned into more than just local dissatisfaction; it became a legal and political battleground, characterized by numerous lawsuits and extensive public hearings.