Foridita's owner has claimed that the university failed to address the presence of asbestos within the warehouse when the lease was signed and thus another issue has slowed everything down. An article in the Columbia Spectator last week reveals that the proprietor of the Manhattanville eatery that has been around for the past 40 years is currently trying to get the courts to get the law suit against its landlord heard sooner than later: LINK. Apparently the previous judge handling the case was dismissed right before the scheduled court hearing and a new date is still pending.
I am inclined to be supportive of (or at least open to supporting) Columbia in its expansion efforts, etc. -- but I am simply unable to fathom the explanation for this whole mess with Floridita.
ReplyDeleteIf Columbia knew of the asbestos problems they have no excuse. You can't just purchase all the buildings in a neighborhood, you have to take care of them too.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing - if this is the same building as Dinosaur Bar-B-Q, what is the story with asbestos in their part of the building? I'm assuming it's been dealt with....