Posted by Ilya Somin:
Columbia University Abandons Threat to Use Eminent Domain to Seize Residential
Property in Harlem:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_07_08-2007_07_14.shtml#1184356799
Last year, I wrote a series of posts criticizing Columbia University's
plans to potentially use eminent domain to seize land it coveted in
the Manhanttanville neighborhood in Harlem (see [1]here and [2]here).
I am happy to be able to report that, [3]according to the New York
Times, Columbia has decided to renounce the use of eminent domain to
further its expansion plans (hat tip: VC reader Michael Pitkowsky):
Columbia University announced yesterday that it would not ask the
state to use eminent domain to evict residents of 132 apartments in
the 17-acre area of Harlem that it wants to move into.
The announcement, covering all the remaining residents in the area,
suggests that the university, which is seeking the city�s support
for a major northward expansion of its Morningside Heights campus,
is trying to be conciliatory.
Unfortunately, as the article notes, Columbia still reserves the
option of using eminent domain to acquire the "few" commercial
properties that remain in the area. As I explained in great detail in
[4]my first post on this issue, there is no good justification for
allowing politically powerful institutions such as Columbia to use
eminent domain to acquire the property of relatively weaker groups,
such as the mostly poor African-American residents of Manhattanville.
After getting extensive negative publicity, Columbia has made the
right decision with respect to residential properties. Hopefully, it
will eventually reach the same conclusion about the commercial
properties as well.
References
1. http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2006_05_28-2006_06_03.shtml#1149295176
2. http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2006_06_04-2006_06_10.shtml#1149365300
3.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/13/education/13columbia.html?_r=1&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fOrganizations%2fC%2fColumbia%20University%20&oref=slogin
4. http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2006_05_28-2006_06_03.shtml#1149295176
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