The Ground Zero mosque was hit with a major blow in August, when ConEd raised the rent from $2,750 to a staggering $47,437. The hike is retroactive to July of 2008 – making Park51’s bill $1.7million – and ConEd said it would serve the centre its eviction notice if it was not paid by October 4. Continue reading after the jump.
The controversial Islamic centre blocks away from where the Twin Towers once stood is facing a new roadblock from the city’s electric utility.
Park51 owns the building at 45-47 Park Place, and leases the building next door from ConEd.
Developers of Park51 said the lease has an option to buy, which they would need to do to demolish both buildings for a 15-story megacentre.
Park51 developer Sharif El-Gamal obtained a court order to stop the utility company from terminating his lease, calling ConEd’s actions ‘outrageous.’
A court hearing is scheduled for November 17.
Mr El-Gamal told the Post: ‘Whether it is bowing to political pressure or seeking to retain the valuable premises for itself, Con Ed appears intent on proceeding with its wrongful termination.’
The Islamic centre opened its doors with a photo exhibit on September 21, 10 days after the 10th anniversary of the attacks.
The building triggered a storm of protests last year with critics branding the project’s proximity to Ground Zero as an insult to the thousands of lives lost on 9/11.
Last year, street clashes in front of the facility pitted supporters against opponents of the centre.
Mr El-Gamal said the overall centre is modelled after the Jewish Community Centre on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where he lives.
The centre, which includes a Muslim prayer space, is open to all faiths and will include a 9/11 memorial, El-Gamal said.
