Historic Decision on Eminent Domain

“After five years of a united focus community stuggle against the mighty powers and deep pockets of Columbia University (CU) that staged the biggest land grab of any landlord in Manhattan the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court ruled against (ESDC) New York State Empire State Development Corporation’s seizure of the private property of Nick Sprayregen for CU.The Harlem community rallied around private property owner Nick Sprayregen and a number of other small businesses that faced the eminent domain guns of the notoriously corrupt ESDC. The implications are enormous given the eminent domain land grab facing small businesses in East Harlem as a result of Mayor Bloomberg’s approved development of 125th Street from the East River to the Hudson River using eminent domain to capture prime real estate for Bloomberg’s cronies.”- Nellie Bailey

Read the historic court decision here: http://www.nycourts.gov:80/reporter/3dseries/2009/2009_08976.htm

Read the New York Times Article by Charles V. Bagli: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/court-rules-against-columbia-university/?emc=na