Manhattanville FAQs
This is all about Columbia University’s expansion, right?
Actually, no. In 1998, Community Board 9 submitted a 197-a plan to the City Planning Commission, detailing a vision for future development in three neighborhoods in Upper Manhattan: Morningside Heights, Manhattanville and Hamilton Heights. In Manhattanville, CB9 called for a mix of light industry, housing, retail, arts spaces and publicly accessible open space.
What’s in Community Board 9’s 197-a plan?
A lot. Here are some of the most important recommendations:
- Academic buildings mixed with light industry and arts spaces
- Negotiation of a community benefits agreement
- No use of eminent domain to acquire property for private development
- Inclusionary zoning to produce affordable housing
- Street design geared to pedestrians
How did Columbia come into the picture?
After purchasing the majority of property in a 17-block area of Manhattanville, the neighborhood north of 125th Street and west of Broadway, Columbia submitted a plan to the Department of City Planning to rezone the area as an “academic mixed-use area.”
What do its development plans call for?
Columbia’s Manhattanville expansion is slated to include labs, classrooms, a hotel and conference center, faculty housing, a recreation facility and a performing arts center. Among the more controversial elements of the plan is the “bathtub,” a proposed 7-story-deep basement that would sit under the entire Columbia site, including public streets.
What is the West Harlem Local Development Corporation?
West Harlem LDC arose out of CB9s recommendation for a community benefits agreement with Columbia that would make such resources as affordable housing and well-paying jobs and training for them a part of the university’s expansion plan. Originally conceived as a representative body of community residents and businesses, the board now includes delegates of West Harlem elected officials. In December 2007 five LDC members resigned, one stating that the elected officials had effectively excluded community representatives from negotiations with Columbia.
What’s the City’s role here?
Both the community and Columbia plans went through ULURP. In an unusual measure, the Department of City Planning put the two plans up for consideration simultaneously. The community 197-a plan was approved by the City Planning Commission in late 2007 but without its recommendations for Manhattanville. CB9 rejected Columbia’s plan but with approval from Borough President Scott Stringer the Columbia plan, along with CB9’s 197-a plan, went to a vote and was approved by City Council in December.
I don’t live in the area, so why should I care?
Columbia University’s expansion sets a precedent for how New York City deals with major institutional expansions. Unlike Boston, where planning for every such expansion must involve community residents and businesses, New York has no such process in place, and therefore no obligation to respond to neighborhood needs or citizen recommendations for development. In NYC’s current climate, community benefits agreements - such as that for Yankee Stadium - are being negotiated by elected officials and serve their own needs rather than their constituents’. Columbia offers a precious opportunity to strengthen community participation.
How can I get involved?
Community Board 9 Manhattan meets on the third Thursday of each month. Its Manhattanville/197-a committee meets on the fourth Wednesday. Unless otherwise specified, all meetings take place at at the CB9M offices, 565 West 125th Street. Visit the CB9M website for more information or call 212-864-6200.
The Coalition to Preserve Community is a group of West Harlem residents and their allies advocating for tenants and businesses located in and near Manhattanville. CPC is especially concerned about the likelihood that the presence of Columbia north of 125th Street will generate a ripple effect of rising housing prices, tenant harassment and displacement of low-income residents and small businesses throughout Harlem.
Columbia University has held a series of presentations and meetings, some open to the public, about its expansion plans, and invites comments and questions on its plans at (212) 854-2871 or campusplan@columbia.edu.
What’s happened so far?
1998: Community Board 9 submits 197-a plan to City; plan is returned for further work
2002: EDC completes West Harlem Master Plan (not available on web)
2003: Columbia begins meeting with local groups about expansion plans. Community Board 9 begins to revise 197-a plan. City begins land use study of 125th Street, in partnership with community organizations
2005: Columbia’s scope of work for rezoning goes to review; first opportunity for public input
2007: Columbia rezoning proposal approved by Department of City Planning and begins public review; City Council approves both the 197-a and 197-c plans in December, essentially granting Columbia full permission to expand; Columbia and the West Harlem Local Development Corporation negotiate a $150 million Community Benefits Agreement containing few specifics; City Planning launches 125th Street rezoning process
2008: Nick Sprayregen, local businessowner and vocal opponent of Columbia’s expansion plans, sues the university, claiming that the planned underground bathtub poses environmental hazards not fully explored in the Environmental Impact Statement.