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October 19, 2007
EMINENT DOMAINIA: The Big Apple Bites!
Gothamist, Eminent Domain Lives...In Williamsburg
The Real Deal (via Brownstoner) is reporting that, according to a recent court ruling, the city is taking two Williamsburg properties via eminent domain for Bushwick Inlet Park. The properties are located along the East River between North 9th and 10th streets. According to one real estate expert, the city will only pay about $100 per square foot, compared to the $200 per square foot it could garner on the open market, even though the owners are entitled to the fair market value.
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Other area properties on the eminent domain chopping block, including the Greenpoint Monitor Museum (its president called the taking a "disgrace.")
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It's no secret that there's been an increase in use of the eminent domain power. High-profile projects that have resorted to it include Atlantic Yards, Willets Point in Queens, the Second Ave. subway project, the New York Times Building and Columbia's Manhattanville campus (although the university later renounced its use). All these takings have spawned a new term: eminent domain abuse.This month, the city actually abandoned a plan to use eminent domain to secure properties for a parking garage and public plaza on a Duffield St. block in downtown Brooklyn - due to a technical oversight.
Not so fast, according to Duffield St. Underground...
Duffield St. Underground, City "announces" Duffield eminent domain hearing for 10/29
The City is moving forward with the next Eminent Domain public hearing for Duffield Street and Albee Square, and has scheduled it at the for time of Monday, October 29 at 10 am at City Tech (Jay Street and Tillary).
The short notice of this hearing and the failure to notify tenants and owners flies in the face of the spirit of transparent government. Please contact your NYC Council Representative to request time for the public to prepare for the hearing.
The City made some sort of huge mistake leading it to rescind its eminent domain decision, and it appears that it doesn't want anyone to examine this mistake carefully or to see if it was part of a larger problem. Please stay posted for updates.
Posted by lumi at October 19, 2007 7:25 AM