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FCAFCAFCAFCAThe community board also wants Columbia to rule out supporting eminentdomain proceedings against any holdout businesses. Seven of the businesses have sought to pre-empt any government move toward condemnation by hiring a prominent attorney, Norman Siegel, formerly with the New York Civil Liberties Union, to represent them.
FCAFCAFCAFCAMr. Siegel, who left open the possibility that the businesses he represents would be willing to negotiate with Columbia, told the Sun: FD2Our position is very simple. We want Columbia to say they will not use eminent domain to condemn the land the businesses currently occupy.FD3 He said he had not been aware of the proposed summit meeting.
FCAFCAFCAFCAThough Columbia does not have authority over eminent domain, which would be initiated by the Empire State Development Corporation, it is unlikely that the state would launch any proceedings without prodding from the university, community sources said. The New York City Economic Development Corporation has completed a draft of a so-called blight study for the West Harlem neighborhood that, if finalized, could represent the first step toward the use of eminent domain.
FCAFCAFCAFCABesides a pledge not to back eminentdomain proceedings, the community board is looking for Columbia to make commitments on the number of permanent jobs created by its expansion and the number of construction jobs that would be offered to neighborhood residents.The board also wants Columbia to help establish a job-training program and subsidize low-income housing in the area, which is adjacent to the General Grant public housing project.
FCAFCAFCAFCAA source familiar with negotiations said Columbia will present to the community board the universityFD5s proposal for moving each of the businesses, including specific relocations plans and buy-out figures.