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Archive | 2014

December 29, 2014

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

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Posted in Published Articles, Recent cases, Speaking Appearances
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December 23, 2014

596 Acres Exhibit Explores Urban Renewal Plans & Eminent Domain Use

Michael Rikon will be leading a discussion of the law of eminent domain at the Queens Museum on January 18, 2015. The program is part of an exhibit organized by 596 acres that will examine all 155+ urban renewal plans adopted by the City. New York City began to adopt “urban renewal plans” in 1949 to get federal funding to acquire land, relocate the people living there, demolish the structures and make way for new public and private development. The legacy of these neighborhood master plans remains active across the… read more

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Posted in Continuing Legal Education, Eminent Domain, Speaking Appearances
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December 9, 2014

Michael Rikon to Present on Cross Examination at ALI CLE Conference in San Francisco

Michael Rikon will be presenting on the “Cross Examining Appraisers: Taking Apart the Key Witness” at this year’s ALI CLE Eminent Domain and Land Value Litigation Conference. The Conference will be held at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco from February 5-7, 2015. Registration is now open by clicking here. What follows below is an advance look at Mr. Rikon’s comments and article he will share at the conference. His presentation will cover such topics as USPAP standards, prior appraisals, impeachment of the expert, and examining the appraiser’s sources. We hope… read more

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Posted in Appraisers, Continuing Legal Education, Litigation, Published Articles, Speaking Appearances
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November 26, 2014

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

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Posted in Eminent Domain, Highest and Best Use, New York, Recent cases, Wetlands
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November 20, 2014

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

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