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June 27, 2005
'Taking' for public good
Supreme Court's property decision is logical but could easily be abused.
NY Newsday, Editorial
Newday predicts that the recent Supreme Court decision on eminent domain could make it easier for:
crooked pols and dubious developers striking up an alliance somewhere to force honest folks to sell their homes so that a wholly speculative real estate venture - not crucial to the public's interest - might arise
However...
Had this decision gone the other way, some crucial projects, including some here in the New York region, might have suddenly been in jeopardy. Example: A group called Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn has opposed the use of eminent domain as Bruce Ratner works to rebuild downtown Brooklyn.
Ratner's project - complete with a pro basketball arena and office and residential towers - is the most promising revitalization plan Brooklyn has seen in decades. With some public help, he would give the area around the Long Island Rail Road terminal an urban panache it hasn't seen for decades. Ratner needs help. He does not need new legal hurdles to jump.
Posted by lumi at June 27, 2005 7:32 AM