It is extremely important to note that this announcement by Columbia's DOES NOT MEAN that the University is not seeking to displace these residents from their current homes. Columbia has only pledged to not use eminent domain as a tool to achieve these ends, but Columbia is still attempting to forcibly remove the residents through other means so that the buildings can be demolished. Some of the tenants are on their way to being homeowners, but technically those buildings still belong to the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Other buildings are owned by local non-profit organizations and some are owned by private developers or Columbia itself.
Columbia is attempting to make arrangements to displace these residents from their homes through means OTHER than eminent domain, despite the fact that the residents have expressed very clearly their intent to stay exactly where they are. One scenario that Columbia has tried, and is probably still pursuing, is to negotiate a relocation agreement directly with HPD, without involving the tenants or getting their consent. It was revealed in March of 2006 through a Freedom of Information Request that Columbia was (and likely still is) in secret negotiations with HPD to remove these tenants and relocate them. The tenants of these buildings made a public denunciation of this proposal and asserted their desire to stay as well as their rights to decide their own futures. Columbia has already contacted the non-profit organizations that manage the low-income rental buildings in the area and has sought to make similar arrangements with the organizations that don't consider the residents' desire to remain where they are. Eminent domain would not be necessary for these buildings if Columbia could make such deals, but this doesn't change the fact that it would still be forced displacement.
Let it NOT be misunderstood: Columbia has not agreed to let the residents stay in their homes. It has made no promise to respect the desires of these long-time residents to stay in the homes they have known for decades.
For more information on the community resitance, please visit:
It is extremely important to note that this announcement by Columbia's DOES NOT MEAN that the University is not seeking to displace these residents from their current homes. Columbia has only pledged to not use eminent domain as a tool to achieve these ends, but Columbia is still attempting to forcibly remove the residents through other means so that the buildings can be demolished. Some of the tenants are on their way to being homeowners, but technically those buildings still belong to the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Other buildings are owned by local non-profit organizations and some are owned by private developers or Columbia itself.
Columbia is attempting to make arrangements to displace these residents from their homes through means OTHER than eminent domain, despite the fact that the residents have expressed very clearly their intent to stay exactly where they are. One scenario that Columbia has tried, and is probably still pursuing, is to negotiate a relocation agreement directly with HPD, without involving the tenants or getting their consent. It was revealed in March of 2006 through a Freedom of Information Request that Columbia was (and likely still is) in secret negotiations with HPD to remove these tenants and relocate them. The tenants of these buildings made a public denunciation of this proposal and asserted their desire to stay as well as their rights to decide their own futures. Columbia has already contacted the non-profit organizations that manage the low-income rental buildings in the area and has sought to make similar arrangements with the organizations that don't consider the residents' desire to remain where they are. Eminent domain would not be necessary for these buildings if Columbia could make such deals, but this doesn't change the fact that it would still be forced displacement.
Let it NOT be misunderstood: Columbia has not agreed to let the residents stay in their homes. It has made no promise to respect the desires of these long-time residents to stay in the homes they have known for decades.
For more information on the community resitance, please visit:
www.stopcolumbia.org