Columbia University and Eminent Domain

Gentrification has been occurring in the Morningside/Harlem area. It is visible with new condos and apartments being built, and playgrounds being bought out and renovated. The problem with gentrification is that populations are being displaced and they cannot afford the new gentrified housing. Columbia University is doing the same thing in a different part of town, pushing out businesses and homes in 18 acres of the West Harlem area (Manhattanville) and expanding the campus. Columbia is legally allowed to do this due to eminent domain. Eminent domain is an action of the state to seize a citizen’s private property or their rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner’s consent. Columbia has gentrified the area in many ways, taking over Morningside Park and increasing the quality of the buildings, to try to make it a more appealing area for the school and potential students who are considering attending. Now they are trying to build new buildings in other parts of West Harlem. The issue here is if this is really allowed and is it fair to be taking these things from the people who have been there, forcing them to leave. The just-compensation clause of eminent domain gives the government power to take anyone’s property, so long as two conditions are met: the taking is for “public use” and “just compensation” is paid to the owner. At first, Columbia tried to negotiate the land with the people who lived there, but when it was apparent that that they could legally obtain it by eminent domain, that was the route they went. This has spurred up protests in the community, of course, but Columbia is a dominating power. Despite all of the animosity toward the college, there have been compromises between the two groups over how to take over the land to at least make it a environmentally green project. Columbia has obliged and the project is continuing today. The project will take a few more years to complete, and will probably benefit the college in the end, but that is no comparison to the businesses and homes that had to be sacrificed for this institution’s success.