Thursday, December 3, 2009

Court rules taking property for Columbia is unconstitutional

From the NY Observer:

In an unexpected major decision, a New York appellate court has overturned the use of eminent domain to create a new West Harlem campus for Columbia University, ruling the action unconstitutional.

The cases were brought by the defiant owner of a set of storage warehouses in West Harlem, Nick Sprayregen, and the owners of two gas stations in the footprint for the 17-acre campus, called Manahttanville. Mr. Sprayregen sued to block the land takings in January, after the use of eminent domain was approved by the state's development agency, the Empire State Development Corporation.

Columbia had said it needed eminent domain to establish a full, contiguous campus, and then build a large, interconnected underground facility throughout the area. Thus all the property owners needed to be removed from the mostly industrial district.


More from the NY Times.

14 comments:

kingb said...

great news!

Helen said...

Things are looking up for Willets Point!

Steve Behar said...

This decision is a major achievement for the middle class. It highlights the great legal work of my friend Norman Siegel. The problem is, however, that the case will now be appealed to the Court of Appeals which only two weeks ago sided with Ratner in the Atlantic Yards case.

Suzannah B. Troy artist said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx1qmiRvZyY

My newest YouTube celebrating the victory. I also tell you how I met Norman at a protest to save a firehouse and thank all of you again for fighting for me along with Norman representing me to get my YouTubes restored.

Thanks Queens Crap.

Anonymous said...

@ Steve:

If that's the case, Columbia U. will be the victor.

I'v never seen anything like this for as long as I've been alive where NOTHING ever goes the "little people's" way.
Is Bloombucks behind this as well?

A. Patriot said...

We still have a Constitution? Who knew?

Anonymous said...

This is big! Anything that slows Columbia from bulldozing Harlem is huge. Where is Charlie Rangle on this issue - or where is he anyway - is he awake?

raffie said...

yes yes yes yes great win for new yorkers yes ye yes now lets save willets point

Anonymous said...

Ha, ha, ha....Columbius interruptus!

Anonymous said...

FuCK YouCrapper!!!!!

Queens Crapper said...

Right back at ya! :)

happy willets point guy said...

wow!! is biggie-raffie getting a little pissed off at the victory against the drove of political crooks? wise up jerk this is only the begining . willets point will be your next failure you better start the cover up now

Anonymous said...

willets point will be your next failure you better start the cover up now


I think it is too late for the coverup. As a matter of fact, it is a patchwork quilt! Can't wait to see Bovine Shulman in an orange suit.

Anonymous said...

That bovine bitch Shulman should already be in prison for continuing to lobby illegally with taxpayers' money!

Now wouldn't you like to see lard ass Evan Stavisky get a new asshole ripped for him in general pop?