URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY APPROVES EMINENT DOMAIN OF PROPERTIES ON EAST POST ROAD. DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN ALL WILL BE ACQUIRED, CITY COUNSEL SAYS. NOW NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN. MAIN PROPERTY OWNER TO MEET WITH HIS TENANTS FRIDAY. TELLS CITY, “LET’S MAKE A DEAL.” IF JUDGE EVENTUALLY GRANTS EMINENT DOMAIN, PROPERTY OWNERS CAN CHALLENGE MOST AMBITIOUS URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT IN 50 YEARS | WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER 3,826,065 VISITS IN ONE YEAR---73,578 VISITS A WEEK BY 1,111,506 VISITORS

WPCNR DOWNTOWN LOWDOWN. December 4, 2019 UPDATED 10 PM EST UPDATED 11:30 AM DECEMBER 5 UPDATED WITH LIVE VIDEO, DECEMBER 6, 2019 8:55 AM:

The White Plains Urban Renewal Agency voted unanimously this morning in city hall to consider eminent domain being used to acquire the 13 following properties on the North side of East Post Road from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to South Lexington Avenue for future unspecified projects yet to be determined.

Counsel Shawn Griffin of Harris Beach told the Urban Renewal Board that by voting for the resolutions before them, they were not making any firm commitment to eminent domain of the properties and in future months the pros and cons of possible uses of the properties would be brought to the board. Griffin said that should the eminent domain process be deemed advantageous then the city would make an offer to the property owners. The city would then, if the owner(s) did not agree it was acceptable, the city would take the eminent domain requests to the court and a judge would rule on eminent domain. Griffin in addition pointed out that the owner(s) could then sue for a higher offer.

Shawn Griffin Comments before Urban Renewal Board on what happens if properties are decided to be eminent domained by the city the vote. (8:08) WPCNR LIVE VIDEO

Gabriel Arrango, owner of EZHousing, 149 Grand Street told the CitizeNetReporter he would be meeting with his tenants tomorrow to discuss the situation Arrango told WPCNR he had told the city “Let’s make a deal.” He was concerned about appropriate alternative housing for the residential tenants of his buildings, as well as the investments his commercial tenants have made in their space, and compensation for them.

Arrango told WPCNR, he could not decide how to proceed without an offer from the city, and how the city would also reimburse commercial tenants and relocation of his apartment residents. He said he would consider contesting the city judgment that the areas targeted were a detriment to the neighborhood and should be replaced with new structures.

After the meeting adjourned at 9:55 A.M. Commissioner of Planning Christopher Gomez said the Urban Renewal Board may meet again in about 90 days on the matter.

Crossroads of South Lexington Ave and East Post Road: 2-4 Buildings, East Post Road considered for Eminent domain.

The eminent domain would include 1-3 East Post Road, and South Lex, seen from across West Post Road with former Sholz Property to right..

60 East Post Road, 42, 34 East Post Road, (where eminent domain would start west bound, just past the Star Diner, and wowould proceed westbound to the intersection of South Lexington Avenue and East Post Road

Continuing Down the Block of East Post Road looking at the buildings being considered for eminent domain Thursday morning. WPCNR VIDEO

The properties under consideration for eminent domain acquisition by the city are

223-225 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard

1-3 East Post Road

2-4 East Post Road

60 East Post Road

42 East Post Eoad

34 East Post Road

26-28 East Post Road

22-24 East Post Road

18-20 East Post Road

14-16 East Post Road

12 East Poad Road

188-188 South Lexington Avenue

190-192 South Lexington Avenue