BY PHYLLIS ECKHAUS | “A cheap ploy.”
That’s how tenant attorney Benjamin Cain characterized landlord Jack Lebewohl’s July 9 filing for a demolition permit for 642 E. 14th St., the five-story tenement between Avenues B and C that rent-stabilized tenants were forced to vacate in November, after next-door construction destabilized the building.
“He’s trying to intimidate the tenants,” Cain charged.
The demolition request follows notices of lease nonrenewal sent to tenants in June, which Cain described as “frivolous.”
Cain told The Village Sun that, in ongoing litigation, tenants had previously secured a court order preventing the Department of Buildings from acting on a request for a demolition permit. Demolition would also have to be separately approved by the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal.
“Rent-stabilized tenants have rights,” the attorney said. “There are roadblocks.”
Cain pointed to orders from D.H.C.R.’s office of rent administration establishing a $1 a month rent for 642 E. 14th St. rent-stabilized tenants forced to vacate. The D.H.C.R. orders state, “The owner may not seek to demolish and/or remove the building from the rental market without filing an application with this agency.”
Lebewohl’s attorneys did not respond to a request for comment from The Village Sun. An article in Crain’s New York cited Lebewohl’s lead attorney as saying that multiple engineers had declared the building unsafe and beyond repair.
Lebewohl is the owner of the famed 2nd Ave Deli. The next-door 24-story project that destabilized the building is being constructed by Madison Realty Capital.
Tenant attorneys have been seeking discovery to contest the landlord’s claims.
They have also sought to have their own engineer inspect the building, first and foremost to support temporary tenant access to it, so that they can collect belongings.
Tenant Michael Hawley said it’s “been more than six months” since he was forced to vacate the apartment he lived in for more than 30 years. He said that “items dear to my heart” are still there, endangered by a window and security gate left open by contractors.
In affidavits filed with the court, Hawley and fellow tenants described precious personal possessions they have been unable to recover, including artistic works in progress, naturalization papers and antique family mementos.
The next date in the court case is July 24, when the tenants’ attorneys will continue to press for tenant access to retrieve their belongings. The judge has signaled that she will not address underlying legal issues until the issue of access is resolved.
Yes. We tenants all need to be protected.
After the initial event that caused the eviction, I emailed WPIX, which has been following a similar event Uptown, or in the Bronx where a corner of a building was made unstable by illegal construction work, to ask that they cover the E. 14th St. site. I would suggest that they contact their reporters again and see if they can’t get some more publicity, which might put pressure on the landlord. What has happened to these tenants is unforgivable.
I also suggest everyone reading this, lobby against the worst provisions in the “City of Yes” – See coverage by Village Preservation).
Important reporting. Affordable housing, landlord corruption, renters’ rights
So terrible for the residents.
Would it be possible for Village Sun to reach out to Borough President Mark Levine?
I don’t mean to be snarky — but he is constantly messaging about the need for more development for affordable housing. But he has not used his office to help people in dire straits and save housing.
He should do something.
Thanks for writing this, Phyllis! I’ve only read the perspective of Lebewohl in recent articles on this and of course they sound dishonest after reading this piece. Our working-class renters need to be protected! Shame on Lebewohl and on Madison Realty Capital!
Glad to see this article.
It is important for the community to keep track of tenants rights.
And know the outcome of this situation.
These are our neighbors!