So Far, So Good on Bronx Milbank Repairs, Say Tenants

Editor's Note: This story was first published in the latest edition of the Norwood News, on the streets and online now.

By Jeanmarie Evelly

Steve Finkelstein bought the Milbank buildings
back in April, under intense scrutiny.
(Photo: Jordon Moss)

Two and a half months ago, when Steve Finkelstein took over the infamous Milbank buildings—10 formerly foreclosed properties in the northwest Bronx that made national headlines last year for their terrible living conditions—he had a lot of eyes watching him.

The plight of the Milbank tenants, as the group came to be known, captured the attention of countless city groups, the mayor, the City Council and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), all of which vowed to monitor the new owner to make sure conditions at the buildings improved immediately. Finkelstein, a Scarsdale-based landlord who owns dozens other of Bronx buildings, bought the properties for $28 million at the end of April after months of negotiations with tenants and the city.

Devastated Milbank Buildings Finally Sold

Speaker Christine Quinn, Mayor Bloomberg, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Sen. Gustavo Rivera and tenants celebrate the sale of the Milbank portfolio at a press conference yesterday.

By JORDAN MOSS and JEANMARIE EVELLY

It was a rare scene for the transfer of a residential apartment building: Tenants, a new landlord and a variety of city elected officials, from the mayor on down, gathered Tuesday for a press conference that turned out to be a celebration.

The now-infamous Bronx Milbank buildings, including one at 2264 Grand Avenue, were finally sold last week to a new landlord after months of local organizing and city involvement. Tenants, advocates and elected officials had fought to wrest the portfolio of 10 deeply troubled properties from irresponsible bankers and owners to a responsible party who could afford to make them livable again.

Over 100 people showed up for the announcement of the sale at 3018 Heath Ave., where the building had brand new windows -- the first of what tenants hope will be many improvements to come at this and the other Milbank properties.

"We now have someone to communicate with -- someone to hold accountable," said one tenant, Twyla Rashid, who described conditions at her building as “devastating.”

The one to hold accountable now is Steven Finkelstein, a Scarsdale-based landlord who purchased the mortgage and the deeds to the properties in a $28 million deal last week, and faces a mountain of some 4,000 housing code violations.

Bronx Tenants Storm Bank, Demand Building Repairs [VIDEO]

Tenants Rally at New York Community Bank from Bronx News Network on Vimeo.

A group of Bronx tenants from a number of foreclosed, violation-riddled apartments have filed a lawsuit against the bank that owns the mortgage on their properties, hoping to hold the lender responsible for paying for repairs.

The lawsuit was filed last Thursday on behalf of tenants by Legal Services NYC-Bronx, the Urban Justice Center, Urban Homesteading Assistance Board and NY Communities for Change.

That same day, residents from the buildings and organizers rallied at a Manhattan branch of the New York Community Bank. They were turned away after asking to see the branch manager to make their case (see the video, above, for more from the scene.)

"We don't do those types of loans here," the dismayed manager said, after closing the door to her office once protesters filed inside the bank's lobby.

"You have no idea what we're going through, because you live fine," responded Gennet Riley, a tenant who lives in one of the foreclosed buildings at 735 Bryant Avenue. "We're here trying to let you understand that we care about our buildings. We just want you to acknowledge us."

Bronx News Roundup, Dec. 9

Fordham University's basketball team beat out Manhattan College last night in the "Battle of the Bronx."

As BxNN reporter James Fergusson pointed out yesterday, Sen. Pedro Espada told supporters via Facebook in September that he'll "continue being a senator through December 31st," though he's been MIA in Albany the past few weeks (see here and here.)

A woman was convicted yesterday for killing a 91-year-old woman during a robbery in the Bronx in 2003. Nadine Panton, 34, also of the Bronx, faces 25 years to life in prison in a sentencing later this month.

A 48-year-old Bronx man was arrested and charged with carjacking and stealing $100,000 worth of merchandise from a jewelry store in Pelham Manor.

The city is trying to shut down a crackhouse on Hunts Point Avenue by suing under the public nuisance law. Neighbors and police say the building, near the Bruckner Expressway in Hunts Point, has been a problem drug spot for years.

Village Voice reporter Elizabeth Dwoskin eloquently recalls the worst bathroom she's ever seen in her years on the housing beat--one in a neglected apartment building on Lorillard Place.

More outrage over the DOE's plans to close 10 Bronx schools next fall.

Bronx residents, and those across the city, are having a cold winter--over the past two months there have been 71,000 complaint calls to 311 from tenants who have no heat in their buildings.

A Bronx driver accused of killing a pregnant woman when he lost control of his van in Manhattan last year will face jail time.

The Riverdale Press takes a closer look at Londell Byrd, the 18-year-old Riverdale teen who was shot and killed in Soundview this past weekend. Byrd was "well-liked" in the community and was going to Pace University in the fall.

Ed. note: Start a discussion about any of these stories, or anything else you want to talk about in our forum. Highlight problems in your neighborhood with our SeeClickFix feature. And find out what's happening in our constantly-updated events calendar.

Assembly Members Hope to Block Espada's Housing Bill

Here's a little update on Sen. Espada's controversial rent freeze bill, which we covered a few weeks ago:

City Hall News reported earlier this week that some members of the Assembly's Housing Committee are looking to squash the legislation, which tenant-advocates say is a pro-landlord bill in disguise.

The bill, introduced Feb. 17, proposed to freeze the rents of low-income New Yorkers but would simultaneously allow landlords who illegally deregulated apartments while receiving tax breaks to pay those breaks back--while keeping their apartments at market rate rents.

According to the article, some Assembly members have vowed to block the legislation, calling it "preposterous." In the meantime, landlords and real estate companies are pushing to move the legislation forward. More details here. 

Bronx News Roundup, Jan. 6

Two NYPD detectives were injured in a friendly-fire incident last night during an attempted Fordham Road drug bust. Detectives Thomas Guarino and Thomas McHale are being treated for bullet grazes at Jacobi Medical Center after their partner fired at a charging pit bull.

A lawsuit claiming $750 million in misspent money aimed at decreasing class sizes in overcrowded public schools is being held at the Bronx Supreme Court.

Tenants of Riverview Apartments in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx cheer on a victory over rent hikes and regulation, citing a deregulation ruling from March for Manhattan's Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village.Tenants are still waiting on a response to their complaint about the landlord's right to read submeters, rather than ConEdison.

Shelter for struggling families hosts ceremony for the expansion of their children's library, thanks to the donation of hundreds of books from Kumon learning center.

The Bronx Underground, a music booking and promotions company, announces brand new hourly and monthly rehearsal space for Bronx musicians. Open House and launch party will be held on January 16th. There will be live music and refreshments will be served.