Columbia University has long been trying to expand northward into a 17-acre portion of land known as Manhattanville. However, several residents have been refusing to sell. But today New York’s top court ruled that a state development agencyhas the right to use eminent domain to claim the property.

This has been a land-grab not free from controversy. However, the area is unarguably blighted. Columbia will be creating jobs, improving the area, and helping to keep NYC as a center for academic excellence. What could be wrong with that?