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Eminent Domain and the City

EminentDomaingraphic

Date: Due to adverse weather conditions, the conference will take place in its entirety on Friday, February 10, 2017

Location: Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ, USA

Eminent domain, or expropriation, is the taking of private property to achieve a public purpose, such as new schools or public roads, which clearly demonstrate a public use. However, eminent domain has also been use to take and transfer private property to private developers, who argue that high-end residential units, restaurants, retail stores, and the like will create public benefits, including jobs and increased property values.

The goal of this conference is to critically examine the uses and consequences of eminent domain from a multi-disciplinary perspectives, to attempt to answer the question: “What are the economic, political, environmental, social, and cultural impacts of the use of eminent domain, particularly on cities trying to revitalize themselves?”

For more information, please email eminentdomainMU@gmail.com.

Organizing Committee:

For any inquiries regarding the program, please contact any of the organizing members.


Schedule

10 a.m. Opening

Magill Commons, Rooms 107-108

“Eminent Domain: An Overview”, Peter Reinhart, Kislak Real Estate Institute

10:15 – 11:30 a.m. Session 1

Magill Commons, Rooms 107-108

  • “Separatist City: The Mandela (Roxbury) Movement and the Politics of Incorporation, Self-Determination, and Community Control, 1983-1986”, Zebulon V. Miletsky and Tomas Gonzalez, State University of New York at Stony Brook
  • “’Not Fit For Family Life’: Neoliberal Morality, Racial Capitalism, and Housing Activism in West Baltimore”, Robert Thomas Choflet, Depts. of American Studies and African American Studies, University of Maryland, College Park
  • “Eminent Domain and Organizational Rhetoric: Takings Justified for the Greater Good”, Laura Canzioner, Monmouth University

11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch Session

Magill Commons, Dining Room

  • “Strategies of Urban Re-Development: A Comparison of Italy and the United States”, Vincenzo Mele and Sonia Paone, University of Pisa
  • “The Westcor Project: Eminent Domain, Civic Engagement, and the Politics of Community Control”, Anthony Pratcher, University of Pennsylvania

1:15 – 2:30 p.m. Session 3

Pozycki Hall, Pozycki Auditorium

  • “The Long Branch, New Jersey, Experience with Eminent Domain”, Mayor Adam Schneider, Long Branch; Peter Wegener, Bathgate & Wegener; David Fisher, K. Hovnanian; Peter Reinhart, Kislak Real Estate Institute, moderator

2:45 – 4 p.m. Session 4

Pozycki Hall, Pozycki Auditorium

  • “Dominium Eminens: Condemning Land in New Jersey for the Public Good – An Historical Perspective”, Joe Grabas, Monmouth University
  • “The Role of Municipal Governments in Deteriorating Communities Prior to Redevelopment Efforts”, Dennis Mikolay, Rutgers University
  • “Community Futurisms: Time and Memory in Sharswood-Blumberg”, Rasheedah Phillips, Community Legal Solutions