I like to clarify two points.

1. Grabs of Iphones, Ipods etc is a common thing throughout the City particularly near colleges and universities.

2. The term "gentrifiers do not apply to the new comers, nor are they perceived as such by most long time neighbors of Hamilton Heights where I have lived over 40 years.

This are our new neighbors that have rescued abandoned, rat and vermin infected, drug densboarded-up brownstones and town houses and with their presence our quality of life has improved dramatically. Crime within the 30th precinct is at it lowest in years due to the work of the Officers and detectives of the 30th and the neighbors efforts.

Gentrifiers are the large real estate corporations that buy apartment buildings get rid of long time residents and replace them with the real "gentryfiers" people that come in because as high as the rents may raise they are much lower than many other areas of NYC and do not really become part of the community but actually would love for most to disappear -those are the real "gentrifyers..

CORRECTION
Actually the only thing of real importance and totally ignored by the Preservationists is the fact that there was an agreement between the Community and National Parks to build a facility at the vacated lot on Convent Avenue to house not only the National Parks Rangers but most importantly a Community and Visitors Center.

That Agreement is now being abrogated by National Parks as usual due to "funding". Yet Congressman Rangel who facilitated the deal back in 1994 is in a position to remedy that, if the community would communicate that to him -instead of the "orientation"
the point of discussion must be the vacated lot on Convent Avenue and the creation of a facility that must include a Community/Visitors Center and possible housing affordable to the community.

I'm glad I had a V-8 because these Preservationist are definitely on Kool-Aid.

Actually the only thing of real importance and totally ignored by the Preservationists is the fact that there was an agreement between the Community and National Parks to build a facility at the vacated lot on Convent Avenue to horse not only the National Parks Ragners but most importanty a Community and Visitors Center.

That Agreement is now being abrogated by National Parks as usual due to "funding". Yet Congressman Rangel who facilitated the deal back in 1994 is in a position to remedy that if the community would community that to him - instead of the "orientation" the point of discussion must be the vacated lot on Convent Avenue and the creation of a facility that must include a Community Center and possible housing affordable to the community.

I glad I had a V-8 because these Preservationist are definitely on Kool-Aid.

Amazing!

All these developers and frustrated marxists-at-heart!

Private property is and should be sacred. If you own a co-op apartment or a condo or a farm or ranch or just a piece of idle land it is yours and it should not be taken away from you to give it to another private owner just because they have more money and political clout than you.

The article was designed to make exactly the point that there must be something wrong or evil about owning property and making a fortune through ahrd work and sweat.

Columbia has a right to expand and the right to purchase as much land as they can acquire. Columbia does not have the right to use eminent domain to take any privately owned property and having it conveyed to themselves.

This is still AMERICA! The American Dream is to own your own property, it is one of those Go-ven rights that the Founding Fathers respected.

Why this hate of Nick Sprayregen?
What is he doing that is evil?

Have you, Leftist Liberals become so twisted that you hate the man just because he worked hard and became wealthy?

And just because he is wealthy, does that gives anyone to take his properties because they can put it to better use?

I really wonder about lack of principles and perspective in all of your comments. It is like all the pro-Columbia people got together and decided to comment on the most unimportant portion of the article.

I am the number one fan of Victor McLagen and John Wayne so what does have to do with the price of tea in China?

You certainly have a right to defend Columbia, it needs defending on so many levels. But these comments about Nick are totally unwarranted. Self-Defense is another basic right in our still Free country.

Re Comment #9 - Dear Sir or Madam you must live a very sheltered life.

CB9M and I in particular, are very appreciative and proud of our Congreesman, Chairman Rangel.

The fact is that an agreement for a consideration was made signed seal and delivered, that makes it a contract and that contract between the community and National Parks is being broken by National Parks 13 years after it was made regardless of the funding obtained by Chairman Rangel.

What is objectionable is that breach that will leave a hole in the ground on Convent Avenue and as it belongs to the Federal Government the most that will happen is that it be seeded for a lawn without further care or attention.

Perhaps some developer will get that piece of land and the empty lost next to it and erect a towner on Convent Avenue for housing the homeless or turne it into another Condo take your pick.

I personally agree that the orientation of the house in the Park is a ridiculous fight not worth the effort, but those people who feel that way have a right to express their opinions and be heard and hopefully reason will prevail.

I respect your opinion but obviously in this case you are sorely short of information.