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July 17, 2007
EMINENT DOMAINIA: Big Apple Bites
WEST HARLEM
WNYC, Columbia Modifies Tone of Expansion Plan
Columbia University has announced that it will not "ask" the State of NY to use eminent domain to evict residents in West Harlem:
The Times reports that Columbia has promised residents it will make reasonable offers for West Harlem's residential and commercial properties. But, the university may still ask the state to use eminent domain to evict owners of commercial properties. Columbia owns 60% of the properties in the 17-acre area where they want to expand.
NoLandGrab: Pure PR cow pies! What happens if a handful of residents do not find Columbia's offer to be "reasonable?" You betcha that the State will attempt to go ahead with eminent domain without being asked.
And to pretend to forgo the use of eminent domain on residents, but reserve the right to seize businesses, many of which employ local residents, is hypocritical and, depending on one's position about eminent domain for private projects, possibly immoral.
DUFFIELD ST., BROOKLYN
This week, Duffield St. Underground hammers the City's Economic Development Corporation (EDC) in two posts:
Anniversary of the Draft Riots
In order to destroy property, New Yorkers used to resort to wild hooligans in the street. How old fashioned! Why, the EDC doesn't need to resort to such tactics, especially with friends like AKRF.
A Snarky Parking Post
Duffield St. Underground is shocked, shocked, to find badly needed parking facilities and suitable sites:
Since I was down on Duffield today, I thought I would look to see if there are any sites that may be even more suitable to build parking. What a surprise! There already are parking facilities nearby! Maybe, just maybe, instead of destroying an important cultural resource like the Abolitionist homes on Duffield, the EDC might consider these other properties to provide facilities for automobile users.
WILLETS POINT, QUEENS
The NY Times, At a Famous Old Eyesore, the Battle Goes On
Willets Point is under threat of eminent domain (again).
Some have vowed to fight, some may move if the price is right:
Reaction has been swift in the neighborhood, where 225 businesses employ 1,800 people, according to a study done last year by Hunter College. Business owners have piled into buses to attend rallies downtown. And Councilman Tony Avella, whose district borders Willets Point, has called the prospect of eminent domain in Willets Point “un-American” and threatened to vote against the plan if the city doesn’t take care of the businesses.
It's worth noting that The Times described conditions in the "Iron Triangle" as "something out of “Mad Max,” bereft of most city services," without noting that NYC has actually withheld basic municipal services for decades.
NoLandGrab: Folks, that's called MUNICIPAL BLIGHT. Has anyone considered giving property owners a medal for putting up with governmental neglect?
Posted by lumi at July 17, 2007 9:37 AM