CU expansion to be reviewed

Columbia University’s proposed 17-acre expansion into West Harlem will enter a seven-month city review process starting on Monday. If approved, the plan will result in the rezoning of several blocks so the university can build new facilities. The review process has been postponed for three years amidst controversy about the expansion’s possible effects on West Harlem. The West Harlem Local Development Corp. sent a letter to Planning Chief Amanda Burden protesting the decision to start the review during summer vacation months. “It is the opinion of the West Harlem Local Development Corp. that a summer certification date for this proposal, which has been under review at the Department of City Planning for years, will offend the essence of the [land-use review] process which is designed to seek community comment and involvement,” wrote Patricia Jones, president of the LDC. more [Crain’s]