Lower Manhattan Loft Tenants
THE CITYWIDE ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION FOR LOFT TENANTS
WRITE YOUR LEGISLATOR TODAY
On June 30, 1999 the Loft Law is scheduled to sunset. We urgently need your support, in the form of a letter to Governor Pataki and the legislators in the New York State Senate and Assembly, in support of extension of the Loft Law, A-8361. The City has proposed a straight extender of this law for five years, a period of time that would allow the Loft Board to work with owners and tenants to move the legalization process toward completion. This bill would add strengthening amendments which would encourage compliance with this law.
This law protects the homes of about 10,000 people, many of whom are artists and art workers – painters, dancers, musicians, sculptors, theater set designers, filmmakers, photographers, video and new media artists – by keeping their joint art studios and residences affordable. The loft tenants invested time, money, and sweat equity to make these unwanted spaces habitable without subsidies, tax relief, or public funds. The original Loft Law provides a plan for owners to collect rent while their buildings are being brought up to residential fire and safety codes. The tenants then repay the landlords for these improvements to their buildings through a restructured rent.
The loft tenants in SoHo, NoHo, Tribeca, Chelsea, and Brooklyn successfully revitalized abandoned manufacturing areas which have attracted galleries, museums, restaurants, retail shops, and hotels. The owners would like to cash in on the real estate boom these artists created by adding weakening amendments to the Loft Law if they cannot get rid of it altogether.
As you will see by the enclosed article by Frederic Dicker and next-day lead editorial in the New York Post, the Senate Republicans appear to be poised to turn this housing issue into a political pawn.
Your letter in support of Assembly Bill 8361 would send a strong message to the Governor and the Legislature to renew this law. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
DO NOT USE THIS LETTER
–IT IS NOT FOR GENERAL USE–
CREATE YOUR OWN OR MODIFY !!!!!