A petition for certiorari filed by Harlem property owners in the eminent domain case concerning the proposed expansion of Columbia University into Harlem by way of the Empire State Development Corporation will be consider by the Supreme Court of the United States today, with a decision to grant or deny to be released Dec. 13. Similar to the Atlantic Yards case, the property owners in the Columbia case have disputed the ESDC’s findings, which say that their properties are blighted. The ESDC is the same agency that enabled Forest City Ratner to take private homes and businesses for the Atlantic Yards arena. The blog of the Supreme Court has also included the Columbia University eminent domain case on its list of “Petitions to Watch.” [No Land Grab] [more]

Last night’s community hearing on the Atlantic Yards project — a possible Prospect Heights development, which would include a new Nets arena and 16 skyscrapers — erupted into angry debate. Even as Borough President Marty Markowitz confirmed his support for the project, headed by developer Bruce Ratner and designed by Kansas City-based firm Ellerbe Beckett, State Assembly member Jim Brennan was critical. Many community members have criticized the Empire State Development Corp. for supporting Ratner’s project without requiring him to produce a final rendering of the project. Ratner isn’t required by law to supply images of the final plans before the state officials’ final vote, said Steve Matlin of the ESDC.