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West Harlem Residents Voice Opposition To Columbia Expansion Plan 
November 16, 2005
Columbia University is looking to expand, but on Tuesday night, about 200 Harlem residents voiced their opposition at a public hearing on the proposed 18-acre expansion project.
The planned $5 billion expansion would likely take 25 to 30 years and cover an area between 125th Street and 133rd Street from Broadway to 12th Avenue.
Many residents fear losing their homes and businesses, especially if the decision is made to use eminent domain to purchase land against the will of the owners.
�Columbia has not justified, hasn't explained, why it has to condemn private property from businesses that have been here for many years, and from 100 tenants who live here and have lived here for many years," said civil rights attorney Norman Siegel.
"It�s very unfair what they're doing,� said area resident Luisa Henriquez. �They are going to move us out to bring new students. To build housing for their new students. What about us?"
Columbia says its expansion plan offers benefits to the community, such as more park space and will bring life to a neighborhood that is largely industrial. Still, even one Columbia professor says she isn't sold on the project.
"I think Columbia desperately needs to expand, but I'm not necessarily for the expansion as it's currently designed," said professor Susan Fairstein.
In a statement, Columbia said in part: "Columbia is focused on meeting the unique needs of New York City and the Upper Manhattan comunity as it continues to negotiate the purchase of properties needed for the proposed expansion. The decision to use eminent domain is the State's and it remains a last resort."
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