Board Deflates Columbia Expansion... Again
In a move many saw coming, [Manhattan Community Board 9] voted against [ColumbiaUniversitys plan](http://neighbors.columbia.edu/pages/manplanning/) to expand into 17-acres of land in West Harlem for the [second time in eight days](http://nypress.com/blogx/display_blog.cfm?bid=35374033). The meeting, held in the ManhattanvilleCommunity Centers gymnasium, was much tamer than last weeks, but ended with the same result. The board will not support the proposed expansion unless Columbia agrees to a [10-point set of conditions](http://cb9m.blogspot.com/2007/08/cb9m-public-hearing-on-columbia.html), including the removal of the use of eminent domain to procure businesses unwilling to move out of the area on their own.
La-Verna Fountain, assistant vice president for public affairs at Columbia, had a different take on the vote. Last nights Community Board 9 vote reiterated CB9s support of ColumbiaUniversitys expansion if certain important concerns are addressed, she wrote in an email, listing affordable housing, quality jobs, environmental sustainability and educational opportunities as main issues of concern from the community. We are prepared to continue addressing those concerns in our negotiations with the [West Harlem Local Development Corporation], the group CB9 told us to work with, she added.
The board will have its final say come September 19, when the group will reconvene to vote on Borough President Scott Stringers [land proposal for West Harlem]. Although the boards votes are nonbinding, the City Council and City Planning Commission consider the communitys stance when making a final decision.