Atlantic Yards: A State Supreme Court justice opened a long-awaited legal challenge against Bruce Ratner’s Atlantic Yards mega-development last Thursday by grilling state lawyers over whether the project has a substantial enough “public benefit” to justify condemning privately owned buildings and turning then over to the developer. Comment.

Atlantic Yards: The Empire State Development Corporation — which approved developer Bruce Ratner’s the $4-billion mega-project last year — now says it will create two new positions to oversee the project, in addition to an already created (though yet to be filled) job of “environmental monitor.” Comment.

Development: Brooklyn real-estate prices continue to flout the nation’s weakening market, as house prices rose 9 percent in the first quarter of 2007. Comment.

Brooklyn South: Our columnist explains why a hotel plan on Atlantic Avenue died — and why it’s a good thing. Comments (1).

Red Hook: Red Hook may get to drink its beer — and unload its cargo, too, now that city officials are considering retaining a container port that has long been slated for eviction and giving a nearby waterfront parcel to Brooklyn Brewery. Comment.