Public Purpose – What does it really mean?

Added: (Thu Feb 09 2006)

Pressbox (Press Release) - (New York, NY, February 8, 2006) – “Before the
‘Kelo vs. City of New London’” case, eminent
domain was hardly a household phrase. But since
the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a couple of decades
of case law in this now-famous Connecticut
lawsuit, eminent domain has become the subject of
the Sunday talk shows, impassioned editorials and
heated debates in city councils, state legislatures, and
the halls of Congress.

In the January 15 issue of “Downtown Idea
Exchange” newsletter, David Feehan, President
of the International Downtown Association, points
out that for downtown organizations, economic
development corporations, and municipal
governments, deciding what to do — or not do —
in the face of an outpouring of public and media
concern has been a real dilemma.

Assembling a large parcel for a city hall or library in
downtown using eminent domain, for example,
should still be possible in most places. But if the
project in question were a major hotel or a
mixed-use project, political pressure and higher
costs, even if legislation is not an absolute barrier,
could make the proposed project one that nobody
wants to tackle. Downtown organizations could be
facing formidable challenges when advocating or
developing projects; but through the effective use
of private, not-for-profit land-assembly corporations
they may still be able to accomplish their goals.

The full text of the article is online at http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com/perspectives.php.

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“Downtown Idea Exchange” is a twice-monthly
newsletter reporting on downtown problems and
solutions in an effort to provide a focus for
revitalizing the central business districts of towns
and cities.

Website: http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com


CONTACT:
Adam Reis
(212) 228-0246 ext. 105
Mailto:Areis@DowntownDevelopment.com