Greenwich Village activists and local celebrities including Matthew Broderick, Susan Sarandon and Padma Lakshmi won a key victory in their court fight against New York University’s expansion plan Tuesday after a Manhattan judge ruled that the city broke the law by giving away public parkland without state approval.
Manhattan Judge Donna Mills said construction on the $6 billion, 20-year plan could not begin until the Legislature authorizes removal of the park space.
Reps for the university did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
City lawyer Chris Reo said, “We just received and are reviewing the decision.”