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December 5, 2009
Which court ruling is better for NYC: Atlantic Yards or Columbia?
Crain's
Crain's offers an on-line poll.
A New York state appeals court ruled Thursday that the state cannot use eminent domain on behalf of Columbia University to condemn land the school wants for its $6 billion expansion plan. It called the use of eminent domain unconstitutional and questioned the state and university's claims that the West Harlem area is blighted. The decision comes less than a month after another court ruled in favor of developer Forest City Ratner using eminent domain to complete its $4.9 billion Atlantic Yards project. That Brooklyn project includes a 22-acre residential development and a basketball arena.
Which ruling was better for New York City?
- Columbia. The university and state failed to prove that the area in question is blighted, a requirement for eminent domain.
- Atlantic Yards. The Brooklyn project will boost the local economy.
- Neither. Until it becomes more transparent, the eminent domain process is bad for the city, no matter what project it affects.
Posted by steve at December 5, 2009 7:48 AM