Hard Times At the Ground Zero Mosque

Human Events ^ | 10/17/2011 | John Hayward

[neverdem]

Park51, the organization looking to develop the $100 million “Ground Zero Mosque” at the site of the old Burlington Coat Factory in New York City, has become embroiled in a remarkable “retroactive rent” dispute with Con Ed.

Park51 owns the five-story building that takes up half of the Burlington Coat Factory site, while the utility company owns the other half. Con Ed has been leasing its half to the mosque developers for $2750 per month, but in August they decided to raise the rent just a tad, as reported by the New York Post:

Park51, which leases the substation from Con Ed, wants the two buildings so it can knock both down and build a $100 million, 15-story community center.

But the plan hit a major obstacle in August when Con Ed raised the rent from $2,750 a month, a rate set in 1972, to $47,437 a month, retroactive to July 31, 2008, The Post has learned.

When the mosque failed to fork over the $1.7 million, the utility fired off a letter demanding the money by Oct. 4 and threatening to evict.

Park51 principals responded with a lawsuit to stop the increase, calling Con Ed’s rent demands “outrageous.”

(Emphasis mine.) I’m no fan of the Ground Zero Mosque project, but… a $1.7 million retroactive rent increase? I’m almost afraid to ask, but does that sort of thing happen a lot in New York City?

Tom Liddy of DNAInfo.com offers some more background on this exciting adventure in Big Apple property management:

The dispute hinges on the appraisal of 51 Park Pl., which is owned by Con Edison, but leased by Park51. The group, which operates an interfaith center on the first floor of 45 Park Pl. next door, had hoped to build a $100 million center...

[neverdem]

I thought Feisal A. Rauf was out of the picture now.

[Friendofgeorge]

If it was up to me there is no way in hell that the mosque would ever be there.

[cableguymn]

Oddly I find myself siding with Co-ed on this one.

It sounds like this increase has been fought over for a few years hence the retroactive part.

[PGR88]

You can’t rent a decent 2 bedroom apartment in Manhattan for $2750 per month. Why do the muzzies feel they are entitled to half an entire building for that price?

[Diogenesis]

"(The GroundZero Mosque) cleared its final hurdle ….
developers plan to build the $100 million center which will include a mosque.
Since its incipient stages in July 2009, when a Muslim-run real-estate development
company purchased the damaged, vacant building and land where the new center
will be built, the project has sparked controversy and debate.
.... the tattered building that was bought by the Muslim real estate company had
been owned by a subsidiary of Bain Capital, a company Romney founded in 1984.
So it’s OK if his company can profit off the sale of the land ."

---

“Bain Capital, has cut checks totaling $90,000 to Romney’s operation. “

[MichaelCorleone]

Con Ed has to be scoring points with a lot of New Yorkers, not the least of which includes the emergency personnel and the 911 families.

My only concern is that the mayor (who lead the charge to get that thing built) will try to strongarm ConEd to give in.

Stand your ground Con Ed.

[maine-iac7]

They've been paying the same rent since 1972?

I bought a house in California in 1972, for $18,500.

It sold 3 yrs ago for $450,000.

Ridiculous, yes, but time stands still for none of us - why should it for the muzzies.

[A_Former_Democrat]

Why don’t they go occupy Ground Zero Mosque?

Cowards

[ken21]

bump.

[Sonny M]

Some of the muslims I have talked to, have told me, point blank, this "mosque" isn't going to be built, and that the whole thing, from beginning to end is a pure scam, a fundraising fraud, and a con.

They'll raise the money, and then pocket the cash, blaming "bigotry" as the reason they were unable to ever open.

I don't know if thats true, but it seems like a lot muslims believe it.

[a fool in paradise]

Islamic supremacists will no longer be able to pay rent on a building at 1972 rates?

This is an Islamic Rage Boy worthy outrage.

[a fool in paradise]

PS go ahead and raise the rent, the Saudis can afford it.

[TChad]

The longer this obscenity can be delayed, the less likely it will be built.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks neverdem. Not the first such topic, but additional info, so:

Park51, which leases the substation from Con Ed, wants the two buildings so it can knock both down and build a $100 million, 15-story community center. But the plan hit a major obstacle in August when Con Ed raised the rent from $2,750 a month, a rate set in 1972, to $47,437 a month, retroactive to July 31, 2008.

God Bless Con Ed. Note that the spinmeister is using "Con Ed" for the company name.

[SaraJohnson]

We should never forget Bloomberg’s betrayal of Americans around the attack of 911 and in the design of the memorial.

It should be known as the Bloomberg victory mosque.

[NFHale]

“...Why don’t they go occupy Ground Zero Mosque?...”

Because they’re all on the same side, FRiend!