After workers tossed out personal items belonging to the residents of 85 Bowery this week, citywide news organizations jumped on the story. Last night, property owner Joseph Betesh issued a statement, saying “mistakes were made.”
It was only the latest skirmish between the low-income tenants and Betesh, who have been engaged in a lengthy legal dispute. The residents were displaced Jan. 18 after the city declared 85 Bowery’s staircase unstable. They now face several more weeks in a nearby hotel, since asbestos was discovered during the renovations.
Elected officials, including State Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou, have been advocating for the tenants. She was interviewed on WNYC yesterday. Have a listen:
