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July 7, 2007
West Harlem Community Group Opposes Columbia University Expansion, Keeps Spotlight on the City Planning Commission
Two events on Monday July 9 from our friends in West Harlem:
(1) On Monday afternoon, Columbia will make a presentation at the City Planning Commission at 1:00PM on its expansion plan. CPC will hold a press conference at 12:30PM at 22 Reade Street (press release below).(2) On Monday night, in West Harlem, there will be an important ULURP hearing and vote on the community 197A plan, in the Community Center of Manhattanville Public Houses, 530 West 133rd Street, starting at 6:30PM. Come out, speak up, and support the plan.
On Monday, July 9th at 12:30 PM in front of the office of the New York City Planning Commission, located at 22 Reade Street, members of the West Harlem community will hold a press conference to continue their protest against Columbia University's proposed 17 acre expansion in West Harlem. Columbia will have its second presentation before the City Planning Commission (CPC) just weeks after the City agency approved the university's re-zoning application for its Manhattanville expansion plan.
Over strenuous objections from West Harlem residents - including clergy, students, Community Board 9 members, tenants and local businesses within the expansion footprint facing eviction through eminent domain, and members of the community threatened with secondary displacement - the CPC voted on June 18th to proceed with the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP) during the summer months. Community representatives argue that it is more difficult for Community Board 9 (CB 9) and the public to participate in this major land use issue. ULURP is the single most significant opportunity for public review of Columbia University's 7 billion dollar proposed development, one estimated to be completed in 30 years.
The Coalition to Preserve Community sent letters to Mayor Bloomberg and elected officials to protest a summer scheduling for the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP) , stating that "our diverse working class community - a primarily low-income, Black and Latino (or Spanish speaking) community - will essentially be disenfranchised". Columbia has been condemned by members of the West Harlem community for its "all or nothing" heavy handed posture that critics fear will lead to the displacement of thousands and permanently alter the physical, socio-economic and cultural landscape of West Harem.
According to Tom DeMott of the Coalition to Preserve Community, the West Harlem community has been mobilized to give comments at the Community Board 9 Public Hearing on its 197A Plan on the evening of July 9th at the Manhattanville Community Center located at 530 West 133rd Street, beginning at 6:30PM. DeMott said, "The 197A plan developed by CB 9 under City Charter Section 197-a calls for sharing the community, not overpowering it, and we will be there Monday night to support that idea."
Posted by amy at July 7, 2007 9:44 AM