[UC] Calling all seekers of fact

[Krfapt]

One of the big issues in historic designation nationwide, of individual buildings as well as districts, involves "takings." The 5th & 14th Amendments to the US Constitution require that the government provide "just compensation" for "taking" private property in the public good.   Opponents of HD tend to believe that the process is a taking in many instances, and therefore can be challenged in court (as the Church of Christ did -- reported in Sunday's Inquirer and referenced on this listserv).   Proponents of HD claim that the issued was settled across the board by a US Supreme Court decision involving the historic designation of Grand Central Station and the denial of a permit to build an office building on top of it.   Seekers of fact can read the decision for themselves and try to conclude whether it it can or can't be extended to all cases. It's at www.iconworldwide.com/histodis/takings_sup_ct.htm.   Anyone who missed the Church of Christ piece and wants to see it, it's at http://www.iconworldwide.com/histodis/denials/denied_presby_church.htm.   And, of course, you can always go to the historic debacle home page for lots of stuff. It's at www.iconworldwide.com/histodis   By the way, you'll be quizzed on this in the morning, so don't try to just make believe you've done your homework.   Always at your service and ready for a dialog, Al Krigman