‘Blighted’ parcels may help Columbia expansion 

The two remaining parcels of privately-owned land in the footprint of Columbia’s proposed expansion area are expected to be deemed blighted by the Empire State Development Corp. Naming the properties blighted allows the state to use eminent domain to seize them. The ESDC and Columbia reportedly will not proceed with eminent domain on residential buildings for 10 years, but commercial buildings seem to be in their sights.