And NYU inches a step closer in its plans for world domination more space in the city. While the school is pushing its new First Avenue health corridor and is reportedly the top contender for Cornell's sloppy seconds in the city's High Tech Campus sweepstakes it happily announced yesterday that the Department of City Planning has certified its push to rebuild its Washington Square South superblocks. But don't think they are trying to pull a fast one on you!

The NYU press release announcing the certification takes great pains to make clear that this plan—which will add 1.1 million square feet to the school's academic and sports facilities—is all on the up-and-up and that they aren't trying to take over more of the Village. No, really! Here's how they describe the news:

The NYU Core plan will permit NYU to meet its space needs near its Washington Square core while staying within its existing footprint; it does not involve any “up-zoning” or request for development rights beyond those already existing for the blocks, it will not require the use of eminent domain, and it does not require displacement of any residential tenants.


Plus, the school points out, the new plan will take the previously hard to navigate superblocks (we guess?) and "weave them back into the urban landscape while making them accessible and welcoming to the broader community."

Oh and for those who just don't believe the school, they point out that NYU can now "acknowledge that not all of its future growth can be accommodated at its Washington Square campus and a full half of its projected growth is projected in other locations including along Manhattan’s Eastside health corridor (First Avenue in the 20s and 30s), in Downtown Brooklyn (where NYU has recently proposed the creation of an applied science institute), and possibly on Governors Island."

Still, you want to bitch and moan about the plan a little? There is still time! The Community Action Alliance on NYU 2031 will hold a series of meetings on NYU's proposed expansion this month. The first one is TONIGHT at 6:30 p.m. at the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place. After that there are a few more meetings planned.

Update: Yes, that is what the headline is supposed to be. Know your memes!