When Cities Borrow State Power: New York State's Empire State Development Corporation in New York City

2021 ◽  
pp. 107808742110671
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Marcello
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
York City ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Local Level ◽  
City Government ◽  
Columbia University ◽  
State Development ◽  
Development Corporation ◽  
City State

Since the late 1960's New York State's Urban Development Corporation (UDC), now operating as the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), has been leveraged by New York City government to pursue large-scale projects. This paper examines two cases from New York City in which the city borrowed a state-controlled public authority's power to accomplish projects initiated at the local level: the case of Queens West, a development in western Queens, proposed in the early 1980s, and the case of Columbia - Manhattanville, an expansion of the Columbia University campus into Harlem, announced in 2003. These cases highlight how cities might, at times, embrace state involvement rather than lament its restrictions or rue its indifference. The study concludes by suggesting a theoretical path for incorporating such a city-state dynamic.

The Big Jump

2021 ◽  
pp. 207-216
Author(s):  
Ann L. Buttenwieser
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
York City ◽  
Storm Water ◽  
State Development ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Press ◽  
Development Corporation ◽  
Press Office

This chapter recounts how the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) press office suggested to orchestrate a symbolic jump into the floating pool for the cameras to record. It describes the Floating Pool Lady's many guises, such as an architect's model, as the C500 barge, and as a floating pool in formation. It also explores how the author experienced the Floating Pool Lady in person through her arrival in New York City with storm water from the Atlantic sloshing around in her pool or her trip from Brooklyn piers 2–3 to her summer home between piers 4 and 5. The chapter mentions Lyn Parker, who had decided to introduce the author as the human Floating Pool Lady, making her shed tears of joy as dozens of happy, wet faces turned toward her and said “Thank you!” It points out how the author continued to make visits to the floating pool at odd hours to meet the press and to see her creation in action as it served the public.

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