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March 10, 2009
NL officials regret relinquishing power of eminent domain
Forum revisits Fort Trumbull case that went to Supreme Court
New London Day
by Kathleen Edgecomb
Here's a cautionary tale for everyone in New York's State Capitol building and New York City Hall who thought it a good idea to empower the Empire State Development Corporation in the matter of Atlantic Yards.
The city's law director and a former mayor agreed Wednesday that if they could have a “do-over” for the past 10 years, they would not relinquish the powers of eminent domain to an unelected body that is not accountable to the voters.
“Never, ever delegate the powers of eminent domain,'' said Beth Sabilia, who was mayor more than three years ago when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the city's powers of eminent domain to take private property in the city's Fort Trumbull neighborhood for economic development.
...“My lesson is, if the state offers you $70 million, say 'no thank you','' she said. “Yes, the city won, but no one in the City of New London really won. In New London we are all connected. I don't care if you live in a lean-to or a 4,000-square-foot house. It's where we all take our babies home.”
...The city won the case and had the full backing of the law, but it could have made room in the project for those who did not want to leave, [Little Pink House author Jeff] Benedict said. The city chose not to and forced everyone out. Now, three years later ,with the old neighborhood removed and nothing new in its place, it's time to admit mistakes were made, he said.
NoLandGrab: Albany has the benefit of being able to learn from New London's mistake before it actually exercises the power of eminent domain for Atlantic Yards, with the added cover of being able to blame a withdrawal of support for the project on the state of the economy. So what'll it be, Governor Paterson?
More coverage...
Civil Liberties Examiner, Susette Kelo's revenge: New London regrets eminent domain fiasco
Posted by eric at March 10, 2009 1:13 PM