Opinion
October 4, 2001.
Determination and Findings adopted by respondent New York State Urban Development Corporation on January 31, 2001, which found, inter alia, that there is a public use, benefit or purpose to support condemnation of 45 Wall Street in New York County in conjunction with respondent's New York Stock Exchange Project, unanimously confirmed, the petition denied and the proceeding brought pursuant to Eminent Domain Procedure Law § 207 seeking rejection of said Determination and Findings dismissed, without costs.
Ray Fleischhacker Pro Se, for petitioners.
John R. Casolaro, for respondent.
Before: Williams, J.P., Mazzarelli, Andrias, Ellerin, Saxe, JJ.
Petitioners are rent stabilized tenants at 45 Wall Street, a building whose condemnation has been approved by respondent New York State Urban Development Corporation in the Determination and Findings here reviewed pursuant to Eminent Domain Procedure Law § 207. Condemnation of 45 Wall Street is sought by respondent to clear space for construction of new New York Stock Exchange facilities. Petitioners maintain, however, that respondent in its Determination and Findings has failed to identify a public use to support the proposed condemnation and that it has failed to adequately meet its obligation pursuant to Urban Development Corporation Act § 10(g) (Unconsolidated Laws § 6260[g]) to find that there is a feasible plan for relocating persons displaced by reason of the sought condemnation.
Given the breadth with which public use is defined in the condemnation context (see, Greenwich Assocs. v. Metro. Tr. Auth., 152 A.D.2d 216, 221, appeal dismissed 75 N.Y.2d 865) and the very restricted scope of our review of respondent's findings in support of condemnation (see, Jackson v. New York State Urban Dev. Corp., 67 N.Y.2d 400, 425), we perceive no ground upon which we might reject respondent's finding that the condemnation of 45 Wall Street as part of respondent's New York Stock Exchange Project will result in substantial public benefit. Respondent's finding that the departure of the New York Stock Exchange from New York City's financial district would be detrimental to the City and State economy is rationally supported by the record as are its findings that the proposed New York Stock Exchange Project, by creating the conditions necessary to retain the New York Stock Exchange in Lower Manhattan, will result in substantial public benefits, among them increased tax revenues, economic development and job opportunities as well as preservation and enhancement of New York's prestigious position as a worldwide financial center. Having found that respondent's findings as to the public utility of respondent's Stock Exchange Project, of which the condemnation of 45 Wall Street is an integral part, are rationally supported in the record made before respondent, our review function is exhausted and those findings must be left judicially undisturbed (Jackson, supra, at 425). We note in this connection that respondent's public use findings are not impaired by the circumstance that the proposed project will incidentally confer a private benefit (see, Tribeca Community Assn., Inc. v. New York State Urban Dev. Corp., 200 A.D.2d 536, appeal dismissed 83 N.Y.2d 905), and that although petitioners argue that the project is unnecessary, judging the need of the project here at issue is a matter we are bound to leave to the Legislature (see, New York State School Bus Operators Assn. v. County of Nassau, 39 N.Y.2d 638, 640; see also, Joslin Mfg. Co. v. City of Providence, 262 U.S. 668, 678).
While petitioners contend that respondent's relocation findings in purported satisfaction of the requirements of Urban Development Act § 10 are insufficiently supported, the record adequately sets forth the elements of an effective relocation plan, including the provision of real estate brokerage services to vacating residential and commercial tenants without charge, an allowance for moving expenses, a stipend for other ancillary costs and inconvenience, and a full time Relocation Manager available at no cost to tenants to provide them with information and assistance. Accordingly, it can not be said that respondent's finding that the requirements of Urban Development Corporation Act § 10(g) and (h) had been satisfied was without foundation (see, Jackson, supra, at 425).
We have considered petitioners' remaining arguments and find them unavailing.
Motion seeking leave to strike exhibits denied.
THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.