Columbia considers property swap

Officials from Columbia University, which is planning a massive
expansion north into Harlem, met with a holdout property owner for the
first time in three years yesterday. Tuck-It-Away Self Storage owner
Nick Sprayregen has proposed swapping three of his properties west of
Broadway for two buildings the university owns east of Broadway, where
he also owns property. Sprayregen said he would build a mixed-use
development there with at least 700 apartments and “as much affordable
housing as financing would allow.” He said he was “optimistic” after
having a “pleasant conversation” with Columbia officials.