Owner claimed an additional $3 million in attorney’s fees, based on disputes over the valuation of property. In 2014 the New York State Urban Development Corporation took by eminent domain the property of TKGSM-NY, LLC, a Brooklyn business. The State ultimately paid over $25 million to compensate the business for its property located at 718-728 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn. The owner asserted that the lengthy efforts to resolve the differences between the appraisal offered by the New York State Urban Development Corporation and the appraisal offered by the owner had resulted in excessive legal expenses. The owner sought $3 million in attorney’s fees as additional compensation for its property. (read more…)

NYS Attorney General Letitia James & former NYC Public Advocate. Image Credit: Center for CityLaw.

The Public Advocate identified and ranked the City’s 100 worst landlords based on public data compiled by various City agencies. Public Advocate Letitia James annually published “The 100 Worst Landlords in New York City,” or the “Watchlist.” James identified and ranked landlords based primarily on the total number of open violations each landlord received from the Department of Buildings and Housing Preservation and Development.
Kamran Hakim, owner of two residential buildings in Manhattan, appeared on the Watchlist for 2015 and 2016. Hakim challenged James’ action, asserting that she abused her powers as Public Advocate and harmed the landlords. (read more…)

Tribeca Historic District signs like this one won’t be extended to neighboring blocks. Image Credit: Center for CityLaw.

Tribeca Trust sought to extend the Tribeca Historic District. In 2016, the Tribeca Trust filed a Request for Evaluation with the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission which proposed that the Commission extend the borders of three historic districts in the Tribeca neighborhood.
The Commission denied Tribeca Trust’s Request and refused to advance the Request. The Commission reasoned that much of the area did not merit designation and there was already a preexisting high level of landmark protection in Tribeca. (read more…)

Anjappar restaurant at 116 Lexington Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Image Credit: Google Maps.

A Manhattan restaurant received health inspection during busy hour which resulted in five summonses with $900 penalties in total. Anjappar is an Indian cuisine restaurant located at 116 Lexington Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. On July 3, 2018, while the restaurant was preparing a large order, an inspector from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene made an unannounced visit. The inspector observed in Anjappar’s kitchen near an operating stove approximately eight pounds of cooked chicken in metal containers at room temperature. The inspector tested the meat and found it was above the required temperature. The inspector also observed that the waste pipe connected to a dishwasher was contaminated by accumulated grease, and that water leaking from an air conditioner was being improperly disposed of in a bucket on the kitchen floor. (read more…)

East 43rd Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan. Image Credit: Google Maps.

Elderly woman’s cane lodged into manhole cover causing her to fall. On August 6, 2013, Hadassa Carlebach tripped and fell while crossing the intersection of East 43rd Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan when her cane became lodged in a small opening in a manhole cover. Carlebach sued the City for the injuries she sustained from the fall. (read more…)