Harlem area in Columbia’s footprint deemed ‘blighted’

The Empire State Development Corp. has declared 17 acres in Columbia University’s footprint West Harlem “blighted,” making eminent domain proceedings possible and forcing property owners to consider selling their land. The ESDC is expected to formally approve the university’s $6.28 billion expansion plan in the fall. The area, lined with warehouses and auto-body shops, would be transformed into a tree-lined campus with towers of classrooms, laboratories and student housing. Most of the area’s buildings would be torn down. Columbia already owns about 90 percent of the private property in the area, which is bounded by Broadway, Riverside Drive, 133rd Street and 129th Street.