NYU's expansion: community involvement or takeover?

New York University unveiled its latest plans at expansion over the next 20 years. These plans call for over 6 million square feet of new space for the University, with half of that space in and around the Washington Square Park area. The remainder of the space, another 3 million square feet, would be primarily on Governor’s Island and in downtown Brooklyn. Overall, the plan equates to building in the next 20 years the same amount that NYU has built in the past 43 years.


For anyone who has lived or worked in New York City, this plans surely gives pause. The University is certainly not known for considering the future of the City in its planning, opting instead for a scorched earth approach. There are myriad examples of historic and preserved buildings being demolished, residents being uprooted and the general aesthetic integrity of the landscape being destroyed at the hands of NYU’s expansion. In fact, NYU is now the number one land owner in the City. The 20 year plan will only solidify the University’s dominance over strategic urbanization.

In publicizing the 20 year plan, NYU hopes to quell its negative reputation. Granted, this is a first step in increasing community involvement and dialogue. But, is it going to be enough? At face value, the plan seems to say to the community, “take it or leave it”. Sure, it gives way to green space and pedestrian malls, but also incorporates mega-dorms that would blot the skyline in the Village. I fail to see where the community’s voice was taken into consideration.