Difference between revisions of "Manhattanville controversy"
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In the summer of [[2003]], President Bollinger announced the University's intentions to build a satellite campus extension in the area bounded by [[125th Street|125th]] and 133rd Streets between [[Broadway (avenue)|Broadway]] and 12th Avenue, an area of approximately 18 acres. Manhattanville is an industrial and largely depopulated area northwest of campus. Controversy surrounds the impact of Columbia's plans on the neighborhood and the possibility of the state using eminent domain to condemn properties in the area. Some of the objection surrounds the alleged but disproven plans for the construction of a Bio Safety Level 3 laboratory on the campus. | In the summer of [[2003]], President Bollinger announced the University's intentions to build a satellite campus extension in the area bounded by [[125th Street|125th]] and 133rd Streets between [[Broadway (avenue)|Broadway]] and 12th Avenue, an area of approximately 18 acres. Manhattanville is an industrial and largely depopulated area northwest of campus. Controversy surrounds the impact of Columbia's plans on the neighborhood and the possibility of the state using eminent domain to condemn properties in the area. Some of the objection surrounds the alleged but disproven plans for the construction of a Bio Safety Level 3 laboratory on the campus. | ||
| − | The [[Student Coalition on Expansion and Gentrification]] is the main student group against expansion. The [http://www.stopcolumbia.org/ Coalition to Preserve Community] is a neighborhood group dedicated to | + | The [[Student Coalition on Expansion and Gentrification]] is the main student group against Columbia's expansion as proposed, calling for changes to the plan to make Columbia accountable to the community. The [http://www.stopcolumbia.org/ Coalition to Preserve Community] is a neighborhood group dedicated to protecting the rights of tenants in the wake of Manhattan's largest development. |
== Two visions for Manhattanville == | == Two visions for Manhattanville == | ||
===The Columbia Plan=== | ===The Columbia Plan=== | ||
| − | Columbia has retained world renowned architect Renzo Piano to lay the master plan for the expansion, a plan which Bollinger has insisted must be implemented either in whole or not at all. Current plans call for the first phase of construction to include new sites for the [[Columbia Business School|Business School]], the [[School of the Arts]], the newly created Jerome Greene Neuroscience Research Center, and a | + | Columbia has retained world renowned architect Renzo Piano to lay the master plan for the expansion, a plan which Bollinger has insisted must be implemented either in whole or not at all. Current plans call for the first phase of construction to include new sites for the [[Columbia Business School|Business School]], the [[School of the Arts]], the newly created Jerome Greene Neuroscience Research Center, and a 6-12 public Magnet school under Columbia's direction for children of northern Manhattan and the greater New York area. |
===The 197-a Plan=== | ===The 197-a Plan=== | ||
197-a refers to section 197-a of the New York City Charter. This section authorizes community boards and borough boards, as well as the Mayor, the City Planning Commission, the Department of City Planning, and any Borough President, to sponsor plans for the development, growth, and improvement of the city, its boroughs and communities. | 197-a refers to section 197-a of the New York City Charter. This section authorizes community boards and borough boards, as well as the Mayor, the City Planning Commission, the Department of City Planning, and any Borough President, to sponsor plans for the development, growth, and improvement of the city, its boroughs and communities. | ||
| − | Community Board 9, has draft 197-a plan for Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, and Hamilton Heights. It was developed in cooperation with the Pratt Institute Center for Community Development and the Department of City Planning. | + | Community Board 9, has draft 197-a plan for Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, and Hamilton Heights. It was developed in cooperation with the [http://www.prattcenter.net/cp-cb9.php Pratt Institute Center for Community Development] and the Department of City Planning. |
Once ratified, the plan itself has no legal force. Yet, since the plan is an embodiment of the "people's will" any development or activity that ran counter to the plan would be a major contretemps for Columbia. The 197-a plan does not prevent the development of the Manhattanville campus, but does contain provisions that would require significant modifications to Columbia's current proposal. | Once ratified, the plan itself has no legal force. Yet, since the plan is an embodiment of the "people's will" any development or activity that ran counter to the plan would be a major contretemps for Columbia. The 197-a plan does not prevent the development of the Manhattanville campus, but does contain provisions that would require significant modifications to Columbia's current proposal. | ||
== Eminent domain == | == Eminent domain == | ||
| − | Typical of these kinds of land use disputes, there are a number of 'hold-outs' in the Manhattanville area. That is several business have been approached with buyout offers by Columbia, but have refused the offer. Anne Whitman of Hudson Moving and Storage is | + | Typical of these kinds of land use disputes, there are a number of 'hold-outs' in the Manhattanville area. That is several business have been approached with buyout offers by Columbia, but have refused the offer. Anne Whitman of Hudson Moving and Storage is one example. Whitman has expressed fears that Columbia will use political influence to have her property condemned. Bollinger is on record stating use of eminent domain would not be ruled out. |
The 197-a plan will contain clauses proscribing the use of eminent domain in the area. It is unclear whether the languages is or is not a direct response to Columbia's implied threat to use eminent domain to ensure a contiguous campus. | The 197-a plan will contain clauses proscribing the use of eminent domain in the area. It is unclear whether the languages is or is not a direct response to Columbia's implied threat to use eminent domain to ensure a contiguous campus. | ||
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* The expansion would eliminate several business operating in the area | * The expansion would eliminate several business operating in the area | ||
* The University has indicated it would use eminent domain if necessary | * The University has indicated it would use eminent domain if necessary | ||
| + | * The proximity of biotech facilities to densily populated neighborhoods | ||
| + | * The extent of secondary displacement throughout West Harlem and Upper Manhattan due to increased rents is unclear. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
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* [http://www.neighbors.columbia.edu/pages/manplanning/index.html Manhattanville in West Harlem (Columbia's information site)] | * [http://www.neighbors.columbia.edu/pages/manplanning/index.html Manhattanville in West Harlem (Columbia's information site)] | ||
* [http://www.prattcenter.net/cp-cb9-197a.php Community Board 9 197-a plan] | * [http://www.prattcenter.net/cp-cb9-197a.php Community Board 9 197-a plan] | ||
| + | * [http://www.stopcolumbia.org/ Coalition to Preserve Community] | ||
| + | |||
[[Category:Scandals]] | [[Category:Scandals]] | ||
[[Category:Manhattanville]] | [[Category:Manhattanville]] | ||
[[Category:Manhattanville campus]] | [[Category:Manhattanville campus]] | ||
Revision as of 12:41, 23 April 2007
In the summer of 2003, President Bollinger announced the University's intentions to build a satellite campus extension in the area bounded by 125th and 133rd Streets between Broadway and 12th Avenue, an area of approximately 18 acres. Manhattanville is an industrial and largely depopulated area northwest of campus. Controversy surrounds the impact of Columbia's plans on the neighborhood and the possibility of the state using eminent domain to condemn properties in the area. Some of the objection surrounds the alleged but disproven plans for the construction of a Bio Safety Level 3 laboratory on the campus.
The Student Coalition on Expansion and Gentrification is the main student group against Columbia's expansion as proposed, calling for changes to the plan to make Columbia accountable to the community. The Coalition to Preserve Community is a neighborhood group dedicated to protecting the rights of tenants in the wake of Manhattan's largest development.
Contents
Two visions for Manhattanville
The Columbia Plan
Columbia has retained world renowned architect Renzo Piano to lay the master plan for the expansion, a plan which Bollinger has insisted must be implemented either in whole or not at all. Current plans call for the first phase of construction to include new sites for the Business School, the School of the Arts, the newly created Jerome Greene Neuroscience Research Center, and a 6-12 public Magnet school under Columbia's direction for children of northern Manhattan and the greater New York area.
The 197-a Plan
197-a refers to section 197-a of the New York City Charter. This section authorizes community boards and borough boards, as well as the Mayor, the City Planning Commission, the Department of City Planning, and any Borough President, to sponsor plans for the development, growth, and improvement of the city, its boroughs and communities.
Community Board 9, has draft 197-a plan for Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, and Hamilton Heights. It was developed in cooperation with the Pratt Institute Center for Community Development and the Department of City Planning.
Once ratified, the plan itself has no legal force. Yet, since the plan is an embodiment of the "people's will" any development or activity that ran counter to the plan would be a major contretemps for Columbia. The 197-a plan does not prevent the development of the Manhattanville campus, but does contain provisions that would require significant modifications to Columbia's current proposal.
Eminent domain
Typical of these kinds of land use disputes, there are a number of 'hold-outs' in the Manhattanville area. That is several business have been approached with buyout offers by Columbia, but have refused the offer. Anne Whitman of Hudson Moving and Storage is one example. Whitman has expressed fears that Columbia will use political influence to have her property condemned. Bollinger is on record stating use of eminent domain would not be ruled out.
The 197-a plan will contain clauses proscribing the use of eminent domain in the area. It is unclear whether the languages is or is not a direct response to Columbia's implied threat to use eminent domain to ensure a contiguous campus.
Support of the plan
- Expansion creates new job opportunities[1] in the neighborhood
- Expansion leads to more commerce in the area and in New York City[2]
- Expansion would change the character of the neighborhood for the better
- Plan includes community amenities including the creation of parkland and the creation of Columbia secondary school
Objections to the plan
- The expansion would considerably change the character of the neighborhood
- The expansion would require residents in the neighborhood to relocate[3]
- The expansion would eliminate several business operating in the area
- The University has indicated it would use eminent domain if necessary
- The proximity of biotech facilities to densily populated neighborhoods
- The extent of secondary displacement throughout West Harlem and Upper Manhattan due to increased rents is unclear.
