A ZPP reader, Mary the Librarian expounds on eminent domain and the Columbia University Expansion:
Actually, eminent domain will be used even on property Columbia already owns. That sounds weird, but the condemnation allows them to terminate leases they otherwise would not be able to get out of. It will also be used to take the land under the streets–public land–so they can connect buildings underground. Although Columbia currently promises to keep streets open to the public, one only has to look at the once public 116th St. running through the Morningside Hts. campus to question this. Much of this was discussed pretty openly in the draft environmental impact statement for the project.
In addition, eminent domain has been used as a cudgel to get many of the property owners to sell. These buildings were owned by small businesses without the resources for a legal battle. They could not sell to anyone but Columbia with the threat the property would eventually be taken anyway. Eminent domain affects far more than just two holdouts.
Not to mention, of course, the neighborhood had its own development and re-zoning plan developed over years with input from residents and business owners to allow more organic revitalization–already well underway BTW with Fairway and Dinosaur BBQ as examples of new businesses located here. The neighborhood plan welcomed Columbia but integrated it into the neighborhood slowly rather than as a monoculture. Just look around at the financial disaster to see what a good idea it is to rely on one business or industry. The neighborhood’s own plan was generally ignored by city government in favor of Columbia’s.
Columbia University: “A Monoculture”
A ZPP reader, Mary the Librarian expounds on eminent domain and the Columbia University Expansion:
Actually, eminent domain will be used even on property Columbia already owns. That sounds weird, but the condemnation allows them to terminate leases they otherwise would not be able to get out of. It will also be used to take the land under the streets–public land–so they can connect buildings underground. Although Columbia currently promises to keep streets open to the public, one only has to look at the once public 116th St. running through the Morningside Hts. campus to question this. Much of this was discussed pretty openly in the draft environmental impact statement for the project.
In addition, eminent domain has been used as a cudgel to get many of the property owners to sell. These buildings were owned by small businesses without the resources for a legal battle. They could not sell to anyone but Columbia with the threat the property would eventually be taken anyway. Eminent domain affects far more than just two holdouts.
Not to mention, of course, the neighborhood had its own development and re-zoning plan developed over years with input from residents and business owners to allow more organic revitalization–already well underway BTW with Fairway and Dinosaur BBQ as examples of new businesses located here. The neighborhood plan welcomed Columbia but integrated it into the neighborhood slowly rather than as a monoculture. Just look around at the financial disaster to see what a good idea it is to rely on one business or industry. The neighborhood’s own plan was generally ignored by city government in favor of Columbia’s.