Last minute effort to delay vote until disclosure of community benefit package was defeated. On December 19, 2007, the City Council voted to approve Columbia University’s and Manhattan Community Board 9’s development plans for West Harlem after the Planning Commission modified both plans the month before. The approval clears the way for Columbia to move forward with its campus expansion into the traditionally industrial neighborhood of Manhattanville.

Columbia’s plan called for a Special Manhattanville Mixed-Use District, stretching from West 125th to West 135th Streets, between Broadway and the Hudson River. Within the district, Columbia proposed to construct a 17-acre campus with a contiguous below-grade facility, or “bathtub,” to house facility support functions. If Columbia is unable to purchase all necessary property for the bathtub, then the Empire State Development Corporation would acquire it by eminent domain on Columbia’s behalf. 4 CityLand 154 (Nov. 15, 2007). The Commission modified and approved Columbia’s plan, limiting the height of certain campus facilities, and requiring more university housing and certain open space specifications. 4 CityLand 171 (Dec. 2007). (read more…)