NEW YORK | Empire Station District | 9 Towers (18-20 msf)| FT | FLOORS

[NYguy]

https://www.politico.com/states/new-york...ter-state-case-for-eminent-domain-340885

Penn Station language would bolster state case for eminent domain

By JIMMY VIELKIND
03/31/2018

A provision pushed into the state’s $168.3 billion budget would declare Penn Station a threat to public safety and pave the way for a state authority to use eminent domain as it works on redevelopment, Gov. Andrew Cuomo told POLITICO.

Part of a budget bill introduced late Friday and given final passage overnight declares the Midtown transportation hub to be “antiquated, substandard, and inadequate to meet current transportation and public safety needs and presents an unreasonable risk to the public.”

Putting the language into New York state statute will back up the Empire State Development Corp. as it negotiates with Madison Square Garden, whose theater the governor hopes to relocate to create a new entrance to Penn Station.

“It would support an eminent domain claim,” Cuomo said. “I don’t believe it ever comes to that, because I believe what it also says is, the state Legislature passed a law that says this is a public safety danger. You’re talking about two very reputable New York citizens with Madison Square Garden and Penn Plaza.”

Assemblyman Dick Gottfried (D-Manhattan) and state Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan), who represent the area, said they believed the law would strengthen the state’s hand in any challenge. Gottfried said he believed it was designed by Cuomo to “show MSG that he’s serious and make them more willing to negotiate on price.”

State Sen. Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) also was wary of Cuomo’s plan.

“It’s a power grab for eight blocks of New York City,” she said during a floor debate. “I don’t want Singapore in the middle of Manhattan. And I certainly don’t want one person up here to be deciding whether or not we’re going to have Singapore in the middle of Manhattan with no community participation or process or local government role.”