Elaine Rivera
Elaine Rivera joined the WNYC staff as the politics/economic development reporter in August. Prior to her arrival, Elaine had worked as a staff reporter at the Washington Post. From 1995 to 2001, she was a ...
Supreme Court Rules on Eminent Domain
Thursday, June 28, 2007
New York, NY –
It's been 2 years since the Supreme Court made it easier for governments to take private property, using what's called eminent domain. Yesterday, on the anniversary of the ruling, a broad coalition of opponents said the law is being abused. WNYC's Elaine Rivera reports.
REPORTER: The protestors came from communities across the city that are facing massive development projects from large retail centers to new stadiums. They say the state and city are unfairly giving the green light to seize property for private developments. Queens Councilman Tony Avella, whose district includes Willets Point, says so-called eminent domain is being used for profit, not for the public good.
AVELLA: Now we're taking people's private properties, their homes and turning it over to rich developers so they can make hundreds of millions of dollars - that is so un-American
REPORTER: Proponents of taking control of city land for development argue that the new projects will stimulate economic growth and create jobs and housing. For WNYC, I'm Elaine Rivera.
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