Business group criticizes eminent domain vote

Subject: At Brodsky's Private Hearing
Date: 11/7/2005 6:07:15 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
From: tenant@tenant.net
Sent from the Internet (Details)


NB - Earlier this week Assembly Member Brodsky (who is ramping up his PR efforts
for a race for AG next year) had essentially a private hearing on Eminent Domain.
Notices went out late -- less than 24 hours of the hearing -- or not at all.
Testimony was limited to invitation only. This is what he did on the so-called
Hudson Yards hearing, refusing to let residents testify.
He has introduced legislation in the NYS Assembly that would allegedly restrict
the use of Eminent Domain, but initial reaction is that it is toothless.

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Business group criticizes eminent domain vote
Crains
by Catherine Tymkiw
Nov. 7, 2005

The head of the Partnership for New York City, a group representing the
city�s business community, on Friday criticized a Congressional vote to
curb eminent domain, a potential blow to businesses.

"We are alarmed," said Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership,
in testimony during a state Assembly hearing. �Without the power to condemn
private sites to support economic development projects, New York and other
older urban centers could not have kept pace with demands for upgraded
infrastructure, modern office facilities and an expanded housing stock."

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 376-38 for legislation that would
withhold federal funds from local governments for two years if they used
eminent domain to take private property for developments. Congress took up
the issue after the Supreme Court ruled that local governments have the
right to transfer property to private developers for projects that are
deemed to be in the public�s best interest.

A change in federal law is expected to pass Congress eventually. The Bush
Administration voiced support for the House legislation.

Ms. Wylde encouraged the Assembly to create a temporary commission to
review existing New York laws before the legislation goes to the U.S.
Senate for a vote.

�New York law provides for due process and just compensation for the owners
of land that is condemned for urban renewal and development,� she said. She
cited Lincoln Center, Times Square and Downtown Brooklyn as successful
examples of eminent domain being used for beneficial projects.

Eminent domain is a critical issue in Forest City Ratner�s proposed
development of the Atlantic Rail Yards in Brooklyn. Bruce Ratner wants to
build a $3.5 billion complex, which includes a new New Jersey Nets
basketball arena along with residential and office towers. If Mr. Ratner
can�t acquire all the land parcels on his own, it would go through the
eminent domain process.

�2005 Crain Communications Inc.