Archive | Recent cases

Supreme Court, Rockland County Agrees with Claimant’s Highest & Best Use, Awards $741,671.00 in Just Compensation

The Supreme Court of Rockland County recently decided the case of Ferguson Management Company, LLC v The Village of Haverstraw, in which it awarded Claimant $721,671.00 as just compensation for the taking of its property. The subject property was located at 2 Dr. Girling Drive in Haverstraw and was acquired on July 26, 2006 by the Village as part of its effort to develop the waterfront with residential units known as the “Harbors at Haverstraw.” The site was improved with a one-story mezzanine warehouse/garage building consisting of finished office and three… read more

Posted in Advance Payments, Appraisers, Highest and Best Use, New York, Offer & Compensation, Recent cases, Valuation
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Update: New York Court of Appeals to Hear NYU Expansion Case

We are posting with an important update on our previous blog regarding NYU’s planned expansion into implied parkland in NYC: The New York Court of Appeals has agreed to hear the case. By way of refresher, the case involves NYU’s planned $6 billion, 2-million square foot expansion that will impact three parks- Mercer playground, LaGuardia Park and LaGuardia Corner Gardens. These parks have been used by the public, and according to the Petitioners, should be protected from development as “implied” parkland with the City funding, labeling, and maintaining them as… read more

Posted in New York, parklands, Recent cases
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Goldstein, Rikon, Rikon & Houghton, P.C. Recognized as a “Legal Leader”

Goldstein, Rikon, Rikon & Houghton, P.C. was recently recognized as a one of “New York Area’s Top Rated Lawyers of 2014” by Legal Leaders magazine. The list can be seen in New York magazine, the Legal Leaders magazine, and the Wall Street Journal. The write up reads as follows: Since 1923, the law firm of Goldstein, Rikon, Rikon & Houghton has been at the forefront of protecting property owners’ constitutional rights, as the only law firm in New York State concentrating exclusively in the area of eminent domain and condemnation… read more

Posted in Published Articles, Recent cases, Speaking Appearances
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Appellate Division Affirms $4.3 Million Award in Metro North Brewster Station Taking

Last Wednesday the Appellate Division, Second Department decided Matter of Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Etc. v. Longridge Associates, LP (Index No. 1877/03) and affirmed the lower court’s judgment, with costs. The lower court (LaCava, J.) rendered a decision on December 4, 2012 awarding Claimants $4,375,000. The subject property consisted of 52 acres of vacant land in Putnam County New York. The property was taken by the MTA as part of the Metro North Railroad’s (MNRR) Brewster North Station and Commuter Parking Lot Expansion Project. More specifically, the acquisition was intended for… read more

Posted in Eminent Domain, Highest and Best Use, New York, Recent cases, Wetlands
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Appellate Division Affirms 75% Increment Applicable to Wetlands Taking

Yesterday the Appellate Division, Second Department decided In re Matter of New Creek Bluebelt, Phase 4. Lawrence N. Paolella, et al., v. City of New York, in which it affirmed the findings of Supreme Court, Richmond County (Saitta, J.). The lower ruled that there was a reasonable probability that the imposition of wetlands regulations on the subject property constituted a regulatory taking and applied a 75% increment in calculating the final condemnation award of $810,000. For the Claimants, the award represents a 338% increase over the City’s valuation of $185,000. The… read more

Posted in Eminent Domain, New York, Recent cases, Wetlands
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