U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara today filed suit against Related Companies, one of Manhattan's most prominent developers, and two of its star architects, for violating the Fair Housing Act by designing buildings that are inaccessible to the disabled.
In the suit against the Hudson Yards developer, Robert A.M. Stern Architects and Ismael Leyva Architects, Bharara alleges that Related Companies "discriminated" against people with disabilities thanks to its "pattern or practice of failing to design and construct dwellings" and accompanying common areas that are accessible to people with disabilities.
The suit, in particular, focuses on One Carnegie Hill and Tribeca Green, two high-end Related rental buildings with a total of more than 750 units.
Among other flaws cited in the suit, the U.S. Attorney's office claims that at the Upper East Side's One Carnegie Hill, where "alcove studios" rent for $3,095, the mailboxes are out of reach to people in wheelchairs, the kitchens in some units are too narrow to accommodate people in wheelchairs, and the bathrooms in some units aren't accessible. The suit makes similar complaints about Tribeca Green, where "alcove studios" rent for $3,425.
4 comments:
They also discriminate against people who are not rich. Can I Sue for that?
That is just awful...as usual greedy developers. They just think about their profits and handicap assess is too much thought, time and money consuming for them. Along with coming up with designs that fit the area.
How did the plans get approval?
"hey, this apartment isn't accessable! Discrimination!"
"Ok, no problem, i can make accessible units. Can i charge more for the expense of additional materials?"
"OMG! Discrimination!!!"
Post a Comment