Oral arguments in the appeal will be heard Tuesday, June 12.  According to Chris DeMayo of LeBoeuf Lamb Greene & MacRae, which is handling RIRSD's appeal on a pro bono basis, an injunction could have the effect of expediting a decision on the appeal.  Such rulings sometimes take months.

DeMayo told The WIRE this week, "We have a strong case.  It is strong on the law."

RIRSD's suit charged that the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) acted improperly in approving the Southtown plan by The Related Companies and The Hudson Companies, saying RIOC erred in accepting a ten-year-old environmental study, and by allowing construction on parkland.  It also cited errors regarding a quorum for the vote.

In July, 2000, Supreme Court Justice Harold Tompkins ruled that RIRSD filed its case after a deadline, evidently confusing RIRSD with RIRA, which had filed supporting papers months later.  He also ruled against the claims in a parallel suit by Robert Chira, representing Alternative Southtown Development Plan.  Since then, the Southtown area has been fenced, though work appears to have been restricted to preparation of the site, including demolition of the Central Nurses Residence.

RIOC and the Developers can demand that RIRSD post a bond as part of the injunction process.  They have the right to submit reply papers on the injunction request, but at press time no information was available on their plans.