Con Ed and the developers of the controversial Park51 community center near Ground Zero squared off in Manhattan Civil Court today over the rent increase that threatens to kill the project.
An appraisal last year set the value of 51 Park Place at $10.35 million, enabling Con Ed, owner of the site, to boost its rent from $2,750 a month to more than $47,000.
That triggered a dispute over whether the developers, who originally planned to build a mosque at the site, owe $1.7 million in back rent. But Con Ed lawyer Scott Mollen argued the flaws were irrelevant. “We don’t believe the court should allow this to go on.”
In Manhattan Civil Court yesterday Park51 lawyer Matthew Hearle said the appraisal was technically flawed in several ways. “Frankly at a certain point these technicalities add up,” he said.
Justice Richard Braun said he would study court papers before ruling.
A lawsuit brought by the utility to evict Park51 is still pending and is scheduled for a hearing next week.