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November 7, 2005
Eminent domain legislation sparks small chorus of lament
Crains NY Business, Business group criticizes eminent domain vote
The head of the Partnership for New York City, a group representing the city’s business community, on Friday criticized a Congressional vote to curb eminent domain, a potential blow to businesses.
"We are alarmed," said Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership, in testimony during a state Assembly hearing. “Without the power to condemn private sites to support economic development projects, New York and other older urban centers could not have kept pace with demands for upgraded infrastructure, modern office facilities and an expanded housing stock."
NoLandGrab: What the reporter failed to grasp and Wylde shrewdly withheld is that most comdemnations in NYC are justified by declaring the properties "blighted."
"The practical effects from this bill -- should it ever become law -- could be to freeze the process of public-private economic development projects across the country," said [National League of Cities] Executive Director Don Borut, citing vague and confusing definitions of economic development contained in the bill. [The NLC filed an friend of the court brief in the case of Kelo v. New London.]
Posted by lumi at November 7, 2005 8:22 AM