http://neighbors.columbia.edu
STUDENT REACTION:
October 2007
On Wednesday, October 3rd, the Student Coalition on Expansion and Gentrification marched up the stairs of Low Library to present our demands to President Bollinger. Read the statement we delivered here: As students of Columbia University, we find it impossible to stand aside as our university actively ignores and evades the rights of the West Harlem community. Instead of engaging the community in respectful and open negotiation, Columbia has pursued an expansion plan of disruption and displacement. We believe that the community has a right to affordable housing, living wage jobs, and a prominent voice in any development plan for its neighborhood. We believe that Columbia's plan must recognize the rights of all people regardless of their economic background or race. We believe that Columbia must concretely apply the principles of the Community's 197-A plan to its planned expansion. As informed and active members of this institution, we refuse to allow the current expansion plan to go forward in our name. We stand in solidarity with Community Board 9's demands and therefore insist that Columbia withdraw its 197-C proposal to rezone Manhattanville. We are not against expansion. We are for accountability. Our demands are the community's demands. We demand the following, as drafted by Community Board 9: 1. Withdraw the proposal for eminent domain, cease to use the threat of eminent domain to intimidate owners to sell, and abandon the process of imposing gag orders on those that have entered into agreements to sell; 2. Withdraw the proposal to build the 7-story below grade structure and the request to build under city streets and convey the area below grade to the University; 3. Build only on property owned by the University and obtained through negotiations with the owners without coercion and without the threat of eminent domain; 4. Guarantee that all housing developed directly by Columbia as a result of the Proposed Actions would meet the inclusionary housing requirements of the 197-a Plan; and that, in all Columbia developed and owned housing, an equal amount of housing for the University and the community would be created both on-site and off-site; and that no direct displacement would occur in the 17- acre area; 5. Columbia must immediately develop and hereafter permanently implement and carry out an effective housing anti-displacement program; commit not by itself or through any affiliate to purchase or lease or net lease any residential units in CB9M above 125th Street; and provide sufficient additional housing in areas outside CB9M to house all of the students and employees expected to use the proposed campus. And further not interfere with the transfer of 132 units from HPD to the residents of those units as previously agreed to by the City; 6. Pursue State and National Registers listing of any of its properties within the proposed Academic Mixed-Use Development Area found “eligible” by New York’s State Historic Preservation Office and not oppose LPC landmark designation of any site herein. Also preserve buildings of historic and cultural character throughout the proposed Special Manhattanville Mixed-Use Zoning District and in CB9 as a whole, as listed in the 197-a Plan; 7. Not build pollution emitting power sources - such as power plants and co-generation facilities - or research facilities above biosafety level 2, or other noxious installations that would contribute to the already high environmental burdens of this community; 8. Engage in sustainable design and construction practices that result in LEED platinum designation by U.S. Green Building Rating System prior to the commencement of construction; 9. Engage in good faith negotiations with CB9 to achieve a mutually beneficial land use compromise that would permit the construction of academic facilities needed by Columbia on properties owned by the University, through technical amendments to the 197-a Plan, in a manner that is consistent with the underlying principles and goals of the 197-a Plan and; 10. Otherwise meet the goals and objectives outlined in the 197-a Plan including, but not limited to, mitigating all direct and indirect adverse impacts with respect to job creation for local residents, economic development, socio-economic conditions, environmental protection and sustainable development, public transit, neighborhood character, public open space and other impact areas, as delineated by CB9 in the 197-a Plan. What's the next step in our struggle to hold Columbia accountable? Showing up, standing up, and speaking out! Borough President Scott Stringer's Public Hearing on Columbia's Expansion Plan and on the Community Board 9's 197-a Plan WEDNESDAY, September 19th, 2007. Doors open at 5:30 PM, Hearing starts at 6:30PM | Coalition to Preserve Community Demonstration at 5:00pm Aaron Davis Hall at City College, W. 135th and Convent For testimony, pre-registration is encouraged. Call (212) 669-4374 or email hearing@manhattanbp.org Written testimony may be submitted until Sept. 23. The Community Board 9 has already voted against an expansion that will directly remove 132 families from their homes, displace 87 businesses and change the character of West Harlem by pricing 5,000 people out of their community. Now it's time to see what the Borough President has to say. Come out, hear the concerns of your neighbors and have the chance to let the Borough President what you think about Columbia's plan. The Manhattanville Map Want to understand what is going on with the expansion? see it all on a google map >>> CB9 Hearing Report Back On August 15 Community Board 9 held its public hearing on Columbia’s plan to rezone 17 acres of West Harlem. The hearing drew a crowd of over 300 neighborhood residents, representatives from social justice and community organizations, Columbia associates, and elected officials. Of the 95 people who testified only 22 spoke in favor of the plan, and after nearly 5 ½ hours of speeches CB9’s zoning committee voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution opposing the University’s plan. Aside from a fair number of construction union members, the only proponents of the plan not affiliated with the University seemed to be the “Coalition for the Future of Manhattanville.” Columbia’s consultant Bill Lynch, a well-paid and influential Democratic lobbyist, and his team formed this “coalition” as a PR stunt to create the illusion of community support for the plan. The group was comprised mainly of recovering drug abusers who were essentially bribed with hours for their Church-run rehabilitation program in return for their support of Columbia. TheColumbia Spectator reported that “Few of them knew why they were there or what they were doing.” While dirty tricks and infantile tactics like this are neither new nor surprising in this expansion, it was fascinating to see the lengths to which Columbia and its associates would go to turn the tide of public opinion in their favor. It certainly backfired in this case however, as the audience responded to those speaking in favor of the plan with boos and shouts of “liar!” and “shame!” The week following the hearing CB9’s General Board passed the zoning committee’s ten-point resolution, which demands (amongst other things) that Columbia promise to generate affordable housing units, set up a comprehensive anti-displacement program, and not use eminent domain against businesses or residents. To read the full resolution click this link to CB9 Chairman Jordi Reyes-Montblanc’s blog: cb9m.blogspot.com Watch the video of Bollinger being booed by Harlem:http://youtube.com/watch?v=g0JpF07SOo4 How can we stop Columbia’s 7 BILLION dollar plan to bulldoze West Harlem? Stand up, show up, and speak out! Public Hearing on the Columbia Expansion WEDNESDAY, August 15, 2007. Hearing starts at 6:30PM | Demonstration at 5:45pm Manhattanville Community Center, 530 West 133rd Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. We already know that the expansion will directly take the homes of 132 families, move out 88 businesses and change the character of West Harlem through pushing up rents and displacing 5,000 people. Come out, hear the concerns of your neighbors and have the chance to speak your own piece. A group will be leaving from the gates at 5:30 to meet with the demonstration at 5:45 (call: 248-765-0412 if you get turned around) And for more information read up before hand: Students giving the facts - http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cssn/expansion/background.html Community opposition - http://www.stopcolumbia.org And some recent news - http://www.bwog.net/index.php?page=post&article_id=3780 More on the Environmental Impact Statement Impacts of the Expansion | Help reading the EIS | Public Hearings | Petition City Council | Press on the EIS "Residential demand generated by the Proposed Actions [Columbia's Expansion] would be partially absorbed by individuals’ purchases of owner-occupied housing in the study area, and by turnover within the rent-regulated housing stock in the study area. The remaining demand could place upward rent pressure on the 1,318 units in the primary study area that would be vulnerable to rent increases, which in turn could lead to the indirect displacement of approximately 3,293 residents of these at-risk units by 2030. While it is impossible to quantify the exact number of at-risk residents who would be indirectly displaced as a result of the Proposed Actions, there is the potential for the indirect residential displacement impact within the primary study area to be significant and adverse." Socio-economic Impacts - Executive Summary of the Columbia EIS There you have it - 3,293 people gentrified out of harlem through Columbia's expansion by the year 2030 (plus the 291 residents directly evicted). This is one of the "significant and adverse" impacts that the Environmental Impact Statement for Columbia's expansion reveals. The other impact areas are: Open Space and Shadows - Some areas, most importantly the playground of I.S. 175, would be placed in shadows for most of the day during spring months. Historic resources - Slating for demolition the early 1900 Sheffield Stable that is marked as a historic landmark Traffic and Parking - The new development would cause congestion along 125th st. as far off as the East River. There would also be a windfall shortage of parking in the area. Transit - The 125th St. 1 train stop would need renovations to accommodate more people using the escalators and platform. Along with this buses would have to be added to the Bx15 Route Noise - Through construction, which would last at least until the year 2030, some areas would be unbearable because of the construction noise. For all of these impacts Columbia must purpose how it will mitigate the affects. If it cant mitigate them this is reason enough for City Planning or City Council to change the plan. The SCEG along with the Coalition to Preserve Community will be reading the EIS (yes all 2000 pages, lawyers at hand) to give you a more detailed break down of what it says, what needs to be argued at the public hearing, and how this plan can and should change. If you want to read it just get started with the executive summary and emailif you want to join us in breaking it apart. Speaking of hearings, two are already scheduled. They are informal presentations to the city council to review both the Columbia 197c proposal and the Community Board's 197a guidelines for development. These two plans will go every step of the 6 month city land use review together, so these presentations are a good time to get more details and get prepared. Columbia University on July 9th Community Board 9 on August 6thBoth at the City Planning Commission, 22 Reade St. Check back here for more details So there it is, the ULURP clock is ticking. And if you want to see these impacts changed and Columbia develop with some accountability come out to the public hearings, and check here for updates. But before then, sign the petition to City Council, because they are the final decision makers in all of this. And check the press: Columbia University's Proposed Expansion Comes Under Fire From Activists - NY1 News A Community Burdened With Columbia's Need to Expand - Indy Media Center Document Details Expansion's Impacts - Columbia Spectator Petition to City Council - Change Columbia's Plans Whereas Columbia University's proposed rezoning of Manhattanville will fundamentally alter that area and surrounding communities; Whereas there has been a fundamental lack of input into Columbia University’s rezoning plan by the community that lives, works, and uses the area in question; Whereas the Universal Land Use Review Procedure is a public process intended to ensure the protection of public interests in new developments; Whereas you as an elected representative of the people of New York City have the power to review rezoning proposals under ULURP against the interest of your constituents; Whereas Columbia University, as a not-for-profit self-described ‘public institution,’ has an obligation to develop and expand in a manner that is harmonious with the interests of West Harlem and the rest of New York City; Whereas Columbia University’s rezoning plan contradicts the framework for development enunciated in Community Board 9 Manhattan’s 197-a plan in areas including but not limited to the provision of affordable housing, living-wage jobs and environmental sustainability; Whereas we as Columbia students have a vested interest in seeing our university expand and flourish in a manner which is sustainable and respectful of the needs of our neighbors, as enumerated through the 197-a plan created by their most local form of self-governance, Community Board 9 Manhattan; Whereas we firmly believe in a win-win scenario in which Columbia’s institutional needs are met in a manner that preserves the desired character of the community; Therefore, We the Undersigned, as concerned students of Columbia University, urge you in your capacity as City Councilperson to vote to decline Columbia University's 197-C rezoning proposal for the Manhattanville area in its current form, until it is revised in accordance with the framework for development set forth in Community Board 9 Manhattan's 197-A plan. We the Undersigned, |
