Homeless Shelter On Billionaire’s Row

(TJVNEWS.COM) It looks like the landscape is Manhattan is changing; at least in terms of demographics. In a move that surprised some real estate insiders, on Thursday it was reported by Bloomberg that the Court of Appeals reversed a lower court decision that allowed a suit against the city turning the former Park Savoy Hotel at 158 West 58th Street into a homeless shelter. The hotel, however, just happens to be located right near Billionaires’ Row and that is what has created the maelstrom of controversy. The court ruled that a previous determination to throw out the residents’ legal challenge was “rational,” as was reported by the Commercial Observer.

The New York Post reported that a group of local residents had successfully stalled the proposed shelter various court challenges for the past three years, arguing that placing it in the century-old building would be a safety hazard.

However, the New York City Department of Homeless Services previously said that the New York City Fire Department and the New York City Department of Buildings approved the nine-story building, which backs against the One57 luxury tower that boasts $100 million condos, to be used as a shelter, according to the report on the Commercial Observer web site. The Department of Homeless Services also upgraded the sprinkler system, added more smoke detectors, and upgraded the room doors to make it safer.

“We appreciate the court’s affirming the city’s determination to provide New Yorkers experiencing homelessness with shelter at this site and look forward to opening our doors at this location as soon as possible,” said Isaac McGinn, a spokesperson for the New York City Department of Social Services. “We’re confident that working together with our vital not-for-profit social service provider partners and neighbors, through support and compassion, our clients will be warmly welcomed as they get back on their feet here and we will make this the best experience it can be for all during these challenging times.”

The NY Post reported that the new ruling marks the fact that Mayor DeBlasio and the city have scored a major legal victory because those opposing the shelter have no higher court to appeal to in New York. The lawsuit also doesn’t involve a federal issue which is a prerequisite to get to the US Supreme Court.

The Commercial Observer reported that the state’s appellate court ruled that the Manhattan appeals court overstepped its authority and cannot “second guess” the decision by “granting a hearing to find additional facts or consider evidence not before the agency when it made its determination.”

So, the shelter will be back-to-back with One57, a posh palace that houses the super affluent. One of the people that call the super expensive high rise tower home in Dell Computers founder Michael Dell, who owns a $100 million condominium there, as was reported by the NY Post.

Speaking to the Post was Erjon Pellumba, a 20-year neighborhood resident and the father of two young children who said, “I think people are going to sell and leave. We hear what goes on at other places; like fighting and drug use, and we don’t want it here.”

Others have also commented that fear of such unsanitary conditions as public urination will be the precursor for an increase in loitering and violent crime.

“This is definitely a huge turn off and everyone knows it,” said one person familiar with the area who spoke on the condition of anonymity.