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August 2, 2006
Further delays at Fulton Street
Wrangling continues over MTA’s evictions for new transit center, this time in court
Metro NY
By Patrick Arden
Even when eminent domain is used for transportation projects, it still takes a considerable toll on people's lives. Just because a condemnation adheres to the traditional definition of eminent domain doesn't mean that the state does the right thing.
Take for example, the story of Dr. Morovati:
Dr. Mehran Morovati runs his dental office and lab out of 11 John St. He’s having a hard time finding a new landlord who will let him install plumbing, and he’s afraid he’ll lose patients when he relocates. “If I move to Midtown, my practice is gone,” he said.
After 9/11, Morovati and other tenants had to take out loans from the Small Business Administration, but they will see no money from the MTA as long as these loans hold liens on their businesses.
“Even if I got the relocation money, I’d still be short,” Morovati said. “My business has just started to be what it was before Sept 11. That was devastating. And now this.”
Posted by lumi at August 2, 2006 8:07 AM