LIRR eyes eminent domain to renovate Flushing station
“The Long Island Rail Road is moving forward with improvements to its downtown Flushing station, which includes plans to quietly seize private property through eminent domain.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced in March 2012 it would be installing elevators at the neglected station, which is not currently wheelchair accessible, as part of an $8.5 million improvement project.
But the MTA is also planning on seizing private property just north of the tracks along the western side of Main Street, according to condemnation lawyer Michael Rikon, who is familiar with the situation and has been consulted by the property owner.
Eminent domain, the process by which the government takes private property for public works projects, had not previously been mentioned by MTA in connection with the project.
But access to the Manhattan-bound tracks is currently limited to a narrow, dingy staircase off 40th Road with hardly enough room to squeeze in an elevator.”
Anuta, Joe. Times Ledger 12 September 2013.