Columbia U plans get mixed reviews.

Columbia University has announced their commitment to expand their campus into Harlem. Columbia president Lee Bolinger said that the university desperately needed the extra property, which will be used to build academic as well as student living facilities, said the New York Times on July 29.

The plan is to expand the school's empire from its current location in Morningside into West Harlem, an area they've been referring to as "Manhattanville," a moniker for the neighborhood that is other wise no longer in use.

So far, although the university has not confirmed the purchase of any property, what will end up on the college campus is sure to be "beautiful, magnificent buildings," said Bolinger. "This is an opportunity in Manhattanville to create something of vitality and beauty."

"I think it's good," said Robin Prescod, a managing partner at local firm, Harlem Homes, Inc. "The only issue I would have is that people living in that area, especially elderly people shouldn't be displaced, and they're not displacing anyone. They're improving an area that's very desolate right now, and wherever there's development, property values are boosted."

However, not everyone shares Prescod's optimism. Many Harlem residents are wary of the university's expansion into their territory for several reasons, said Christopher Townley, an independent broker with numerous clients in West Harlem.

"I've heard the concerns of others about the impact on the neighborhood, from the Western area all the way to the river," said Townley. "When NYU purchased a whole neighborhood downtown, they changed the entire streetscape. Edgar Allen Poe's townhouse was turned into a large building. Residents here are concerned that Columbia will rule the neighborhood."

Indeed, a change of character of the area is inevitable if Harlem is to become a "college" town, although as Prescod said, "absolutely it will change, and it will be a good thing. The only thing in that 12th Avenue area is an abandoned building, which promotes drug sales. Right now it's a scary place and this will improve the quality of life of the Hamilton Heights area."

However, some residents are concerned that an increase in Harlem real estate value could actually hurt them financially.

"Columbia is exempt from paying real estate taxes," said Townley. "So what does that do to the tax payers when you have a large chunk of land taken off the city tax roll? And it could mean rents go up and people won't be able to live there."

However, one thing Townley and Prescod both agree on is the importance of quality of life for Harlem residents. While the building and maintenance of a major college campus will provide many jobs, from construction workers to professors, "there's a balance to be reached," said Townley, "with the expansion of Columbia and their sensitivity to the locals. Columbia is very well funded." However, many of Harlem's residents are not.

Columbia is not unaware of the concerns of residents and has already been keeping in close contact with various community groups as well as local politicians as they make plans for the multi-billion dollar expansion.