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Mary the Librarian (not verified) says:
Not going to use eminent domain? Columbia has paid the Empire State Development Corporation at least $300,000 beginning in 2004 to "consider the condemnation of portions of the Property not under Columbia Control and the transfer of title". A letter of agreement documenting this was obtained by the Columbia Spectator through a Freedom of Information Law request. Publicly Columbia keeps saying they hope they don't have to use it, but I think this agreement shows otherwise. It is also clearly stated in the environmental impact statements submitted to the city that they intend to use it. Besides the owners who don't want to sell, Columbia needs the state to condemn the property under the streets for the 7-story below-grade "bathtub."
And, since the threat of eminent domain, prevents owners from selling to anyone else at a decent price, all Columbia really has to do is threaten eminent domain. he owner of the Cotton Club doesn't want to sell. Two successful moving and storage companies don't want to sell. The owners of two gas stations don't want to sell. (It's not all chop-shops.)
There are buildings beautiful and historic enough to be landmarks that Columbia doesn't want landmarked and so they aren't. The city and state have said that the Studebaker Building, for example, is eligible to be a landmark. Although Columbia says they will leave it stand, they should commit by landmarking it. The City Council should have the guts to require it before they vote on the plan.
Not going to use eminent domain? Columbia has paid the Empire State Development Corporation at least $300,000 beginning in 2004 to "consider the condemnation of portions of the Property not under Columbia Control and the transfer of title". A letter of agreement documenting this was obtained by the Columbia Spectator through a Freedom of Information Law request. Publicly Columbia keeps saying they hope they don't have to use it, but I think this agreement shows otherwise. It is also clearly stated in the environmental impact statements submitted to the city that they intend to use it. Besides the owners who don't want to sell, Columbia needs the state to condemn the property under the streets for the 7-story below-grade "bathtub."
And, since the threat of eminent domain, prevents owners from selling to anyone else at a decent price, all Columbia really has to do is threaten eminent domain. he owner of the Cotton Club doesn't want to sell. Two successful moving and storage companies don't want to sell. The owners of two gas stations don't want to sell. (It's not all chop-shops.)
There are buildings beautiful and historic enough to be landmarks that Columbia doesn't want landmarked and so they aren't. The city and state have said that the Studebaker Building, for example, is eligible to be a landmark. Although Columbia says they will leave it stand, they should commit by landmarking it. The City Council should have the guts to require it before they vote on the plan.