« Jeffries, Montgomery call for Ratner to abandon 421-a "carve-out" | Main | How many stars can the skyline take? »
July 12, 2007
EMINENT DOMAINIA: The Big Apple Bites
Coalition to Preserve Community, via NolandGrab, The Community 197A Plan Wins a Unanimous Vote at a CB 9 Hearing
Coverage of Columbia University's West Harlem land grab. Read about Community Board 9's unanimous vote for the alternative non-land-grabbing community-backed plan, Columbia's presentation to City Planning, and next week's planned meeting.
Duffield St. Underground, AKRF's Neutrality in Expansion at Columbia Is Questioned
Duffield St. isn't the only land grab under assault from suspicious findings by AKRF, which was awarded a no-bid contract to study the historical significance of the Duffield St. homes under threat of condemnation. Groups in West Harlem challenged the neutrality of AKRF and won an important court decision for release of documents.
NoLandGrab: Atlantic Yards freaks and geeks will recall that AKRF conducted the highly controversial environmental review and "blight" study for Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards mega-project. The findings of the study have been challenged in court and are awaiting a decision.
The [Chenango County] Evening Sun, Citizens compile list of local properties affected by NYRI
More than a thousand property owners in Chenango County would be either displaced or lose land through eminent domain if the New York Regional Interconnect power line becomes a reality, according to a list compiled by two concerned citizens.
...
“These data are only from one affected county. There are seven other counties which comprise the corridor. One can only imagine the social devastation resulting from such an action by the DOE. Thousands of citizens would be displaced and experience great privation,” [Perry Owen] said.
NoLandGrab: Perry Owen also burdened a good point with an amusing claim when he told members of the county planning board that, "There is a possibility these folks would be the first U.S. citizens to become refugees in their own land since the American Civil War.” Owens probably isn't aware that hundreds of thousands of "U.S. citizens," many of whom were part of closely knit immigrant and minority communities, were removed from their own land during the sweeping urban renewal projects of the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
The Daily Herald, Prospect Heights approves eminent domain for easements
In case you hadn't heard, "The Prospect Heights City Council narrowly approved an ordinance this week allowing the city the option of eminent domain in acquiring easements...." One resident noted, "The city is only considering eminent domain if the residents refuse to sign a voluntary easement. That’s a last resort."
Posted by lumi at July 12, 2007 7:59 AM