New York University is claiming victory in the first of two lawsuits filed against NYU’s Core expansion project. In a suit filed by the WSV Green Neighbors Inc. and tenants of Washington Square Village, New York Supreme Court Justice Ellen M. Coin dismissed the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction, on the grounds that the residents should take their complaints to the Division of Housing & Community Renewal.
“We are very pleased with today’s ruling and also look forward to prevailing in the Article 78 case that has been filed with regards to NYU’s expansion plans,” Lynne Brown, NYU’s senior vice president for university relations and public affairs, said in a statement. “NYU’s expansion proposal was approved by the City of New York after significant stakeholder engagement and after a thorough and rigorous public review process. We have long maintained that the courts will rule in our favor in both these cases.”
In the case decided today, the plaintiffs asked the court to issue an injunction that would have prevented the university from taking any moves that would affect the interior courtyard space in Washington Square Village. The plaintiffs also sought a declaratory judgment that they were entitled to continued use of the space between the two Washington Square Village buildings under the rent stabilization law. Justice Coin declined to grant either request, saying the applicability of the rent stabilization law was an administrative question better handled by DHCR.
Lawrence B. Goldberg, the attorney representing the residents, could not be reached for comment on the ruling.
NYU gained approval from the City Council for the Core expansion in July, 2012, and is working with its University Space Priorities Working Group to give guidance to the administration on implementing the expansion.
