Residents consider legal action in Jamaica redevelopment

Following the city’s recent admission that, if necessary, it will use eminent domain to acquire land around the AirTrain terminal as part of its Jamaica Plan redevelopment project, last week Community Board 12 Chairperson Gloria Black reminded the city that the community could consider legal action if its concerns were not sufficiently addressed in the planning.
At an informational open house hosted by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) at the Jamaica Market last Monday, March 5, Black reminded EDC vice president Thomas McKnight that Jamaica residents and business owners believe they have been pushed aside in the “Sutphin Boulevard Plaza” and “Atlantic Avenue Extension” projects currently under public Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) review.
“I want EDC to know that it will have difficulties,” said Black, explaining that about 10 property owners had met with Community Board 12 during the previous week and had concerns.
“At that point in time the people had little understanding as to what this economic development is all about,” she said, charging that the EDC had not exercised due care to involve the community in the projects.
Black said eminent domain law was unclear in New York State and that, “There are grave ramifications and we could tie this thing up for the next five or six or seven [years]—if you had the money.”
“Now, it seems that you’re taking the land from the people that they have invested in for 40 or 50 years. The Board has difficulty with this,” she continued.
“Have you ever thought in terms of bringing in the residents who own this property in this plan?” said Black.
“I would strongly suggest that you get with these property owners to see what’s going to take place when they’re going to be relocated. That’s if we don’t take you to court first because we can tie it all up and that’s where we are,” she said.
“We will not go down without protecting the residents of this area.”
“The participation and support of the local community is critical to the success of these types of projects,” said Janel Patterson, EDC spokesperson.
“We have met with the community board a number of times on this project and have identified issues they are concerned about - relocation, local participation, etc. We will continue to meet with them to address these issues.”