Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Eminent Domain or Eminently Crazy
By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 24, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 24, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The Supreme Court ruled, in a 5-4 decision, that the government can seize private property and turn it over to developers, under the auspices of eminent domain. The Daily News points out that this probably warms of the hearts of developers, taking, for instance, projects like Bruce Ratner's Brooklyn Nets arena or Columbia University's development of 18 acres in Harlem...or any projects that have a "public purpose" element. In the end, it's up to the state government to determine whether or not the property should be seized, so many local lawmakers are pleading with the State Legislature to review eminent domain.
And the Court's decision had Justices John Paul Stevens, Anthony Kennedy, David Souter, Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the majority, with Chief Justice William Rehnquist and Justices Sandra Day O'Connor, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas dissenting. Read the ruling, Kelo Vs. New London, CT, here.
Tagged
antonin scalia
brooklyn
brooklyn nets
Bruce Ratner
Chief Justice
Chief Justice William Rehnquist
clarence thomas
columbia university
court
daily news
david
government
harlem
london
nets
New London
news
News: National
Politics
Sandra Day O
state legislature
supreme court
The Supreme Court
university
William Rehnquist
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Early Addition: Pedicabs keep blasting 'Empire State of Mind' outside Broadway theaters during the show
Because the City Council is trying to crack down, here are your early links: Diddy allegedly getting massages and liquor in prison, the Financial District is a reality show set, the Russian and Turkish Baths are full of naked celebrities and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Sep 30, 2026 at 8:51 a.m. ET
LES stabbing sends 3 men to the hospital as NYPD search for the top hat-wearing suspect
The attack happened out front a deli on Bowery and Delancey Streets.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
LES stabbing sends 3 men to the hospital as NYPD search for the top hat-wearing suspect
The attack happened out front a deli on Bowery and Delancey Streets.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
The end nears for Jake's Dilemma. What about other Upper West Side shops?
By
Willow Higgins
No kids and a lot of bass: Brooklyn Children's Museum draws flak for loud roof parties
By
Walter Wuthmann
Bronx man indicted for murder in fatal bodega shooting
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .