Bruce Ratner, the controversial developer of a new arena for the New York Nets in Brooklyn’s Atlantic Yards is awaiting two court rulings that could affect the future of the project. Struggling with problems for some time, the project's original proposal consisted of a 22-acre commercial and residential development comprised 16 towers under the master plan of architect Frank Gehry.

As the real estate market faltered, Ratner dropped Gehry in favor of sports-design specialist  Ellerbe Becket Co. But when images of the new design were revealed and badly received, Ratner paired Ellerbe Becket Co. with Manhattan-based SHoP Architects, who collaboratively came up with a design got the arena cost down to $800 million from $1 billion.

The activist group Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn has filed one of the two suits against Ratner. Their suit argues against the use of eminent domain. Another suit claims that some changes made to the original project are significant enough to require additional environmental review. If the judge in either case rules for the plaintiff, the resulting delay would make it difficult for Ratner to obtain financing through tax-exempt bonds that must be issued before the end of the year. Court rulings could come as early as this week.

Read more at Bloomberg.