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July 9, 2007
Déjà vu in West Harlem
If 90-degree weather on the day of a special summertime Community Board meeting isn't enough to give Brooklynites who have been following Atlantic Yards a serious case of déjà vu, how about the news that the NAACP is coming out in support of Columbia University's expansion plans, citing "thousands of jobs" (see, NY1, NAACP Official Approves Columbia Expansion?
A couple of activists from the Atlantic Yards fight headed down to Reade St. this morning to express sympathy and support for the West Harlem groups fighting Columbia University's bid to use eminent domain to kick off its expansion plans.
The NY Sun had a pretty good article summarizing the issue, "Columbia Expansion Plan Debate Will Intensify."
Columbia's plans come straight out of the developers' playbook, and will be very familiar to those who have been paying attention to Bruce Ratner's political and public relations strategy. Here's how they compare:
TACTIC |
Bruce Ratner, Atlantic Yards |
Columbia University, West Harlem Expansion |
PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD IN THE SUMMER, when Community Boards are not in session, over objections of local politicians and community groups. |
Summer of 2006, as required by the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) |
Summer of 2007, as required by the NYC Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) |
DEVELOPER-DRAWN FOOTPRINT TO BE DECLARED "BLIGHTED" |
Blight study completed |
Currently being studied |
CONDEMNATION BY THE EMPIRE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION |
A lawsuit concerning the constitutionality of the ESDC's use of eminent domain to benefit one pre-determined private developer is headed toward an appeal in the Second Circuit |
The ESDC is coming in to only do the condemnation, even though the project is undergoing the city review process. |
DEVELOPER SHOWCASING SUPPORT FROM THE MINORITY COMMUNITY |
Reverend Al Sharpton |
Hazel Dukes, NAACP |
CONSULTANTS AKRF GIVE DEVELOPERS THE ADVANTAGE |
AKRF compiled the Atlantic Yards Environmental Impact Statement |
A lawsuit revealed that AKRF was the consultant to Columbia University AND the ESDC, resulting in the forced release of documents by the courts. |
| There are ALTERNATIVE PLANS | UNITY Plan |
179-a community-based and community-supported plan |
Posted by lumi at July 9, 2007 2:55 PM