tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20743459.post3402157818758217947..comments2024-03-28T05:19:17.215-04:00Comments on Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park Report: Governor-in-waiting Paterson protested eminent domain in 2005, but quiet sinceNorman Oderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618087999719667586noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20743459.post-35217165188162623582008-03-14T13:12:00.000-04:002008-03-14T13:12:00.000-04:00The purely technical observation in this post that...The purely technical observation in this post that “Eminent domain has not yet been used for projects like Columbia's expansion and Atlantic Yards, though it has certainly played a role in settlements made by property owners and it still may be used” points to what should be highlighted as a very troubling concern.<BR/><BR/>As a practical matter, there is virtually no difference between the use of eminent domain and use of the threat of eminent domain. That people so often get away with passing off the technical distinction indicates how successful the “omerta” has been that is enforced by gag order agreements when eminent domain is used by developers through threat. Back in the days when eminent domain was done by the government and was not developer-initiated and developer-driven, the government didn’t use gag orders and didn’t need to. Perhaps the only real distinction between the use of eminent domain and use of the threat of eminent domain is the lack of political fingerprints and accountability when developers like Ratner and Columbia threaten eminent domain in conjunction with these objectionable gag order agreements.MDDWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16693635186364315879noreply@blogger.com