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April 1, 2007
Eminent Domania
The Queens Courier, Wither Willets Point redevelopment
Those familiar with the Atlantic Yards fight might be forgiven when their eyes glaze over when seeing the terms "mix-use facility", "affordable housing" and "open space" used to describe the Willets Point project.
At a recent town hall meeting organized by City Councilmember Hiram Monserrate, representatives from the city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) presented their vision for the site as a mixed-use facility complete with affordable housing, office space, a first class hotel, convention center, school and open space for the community to enjoy.
And what discussion of the use of eminent domain would be complete without a finding of blight? This time, there's a concern about environmental problems that have long been present, in the area, but only now seem important because developers want the property.
However, some community members at the meeting criticized EDC officials for only recently taking an interest in the poor environmental conditions in the area now that they are looking to develop the region.
The Manhattan Institute’s
Center for Rethinking Development, C'mon, Columbia, Take Eminent Domain Off the Table
More on Columbia University's moves on Manhattanville.
Even the strongest Harlem supporters of the Manhattanville plan, like realtor Willie Kathryn Suggs, balk at eminent domain. "I don't want them invoking eminent domain for private use. It's not right," says Suggs. "The neighborhood will get safer streets and better restaurants. I want that to happen. But under the rules. If they want more property they should buy it fairly, like anyone else."
Surprise, you're blighted!
Columbia argues that Manhattanville is "blighted," a condition that automatically allows the state to exercise eminent domain. It insists that its goal is to "transform what is now a largely isolated, underutilized streetscape of garage openings, empty ground floors, roll-down metal gates and chain-link fences on the blocks from West 125th to 133rd Streets into a cohesive, reanimated center for educational, commercial and community life."
A local business owner tells where he thinks the blight is coming from:
"This is blight forced on the neighborhood by city regulations," he notes. "But despite its zoning, the neighborhood is far better off now than it’s ever been. Yet Columbia, ironically, is claiming it’s so terrible and so blighted."
Posted by steve at April 1, 2007 9:19 AM