Seizure Power
June 24th, 2010
The state’s highest court this morning cleared the way for Columbia University to build a new satellite campus new campus north of its existing enclave in Morningside Park. The Court of Appeal unanimous ruling overturned a lower court decision that had blocked the state from using its power of eminent domain to take seize slated for the campus.
The ruling is the latest victory for the state and city as they have declared property blighted so that another private owner can develop it for another, purportedly better use. In earlier rulings, the courts also upheld the state’s use of eminent domain in clearing the way for Bruce Ratner’s Atlantic Yards complex in downtown Brooklyn.
Faced with such decisions, some advocates have called for legislation to change the eminent domain law. For more on the issue, see Eminent Domain Changes Seek to Limit State’s Power to Seize Property.
By Gail Robinson on June 24, 2010, 3:12 pmIn category: Gotham City,Land Use,Law | Comments Off on Seizure Power