Opinion ID: 3003776
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Land Sales

Text: In March 2004, Kaye attempted to purchase a city‐owned parcel of land called Kane Place, which is located in the East Village Neighborhood. He alleges the RACM and DCD refused to sell him Kane Place because the land had been promised to Kohler and had been held for her by the DCD, tax free, since 2000. According to Kaye, his proposal for the land was “better” and $500 higher than Kohler’s. Kaye contends that the CPC and ZND improperly declared Kane Place blighted and conveyed it to the RACM in order to privately sell it to Kohler. Kohler eventually acquired Kane Place, and various benefits associated with the land, after receiving the required approval of Defendants acting in their official positions. Kaye alleges that, contemporaneous with the sale of Kane Place to Kohler, the CPC sold another city‐owned property, Humboldt Boulevard, in a private sale to a company owned by Fowler. Kaye alleges the property was sold to Fowler despite the existence of a $250,000 bid No. 09-1091 3 from a competing developer who had already secured financing and invested money in redevelopment plans. Kaye further alleges that the DCD stopped the sale to this developer in order to sell the property to Fowler for $10,000. At some point, Kaye complained publicly about D’Amato’s involvement in selling city‐ owned land to Kohler. As a result, Kaye alleges that D’Amato publicly announced at a June 11, 2004 park dedication that Kaye was “blacklisted” from buying city land in the future. Kaye believes the goal of the public comment was to deter Kaye from any further public criticism of D’Amato.