Obstacles We Didn't Foresee (1)

Plan B

Before we actually constructed the building, we had to devise a plan B and then a plan C.

Plan B meant a change of location because of a building permit controversy.  A man, who lived in the neighborhood where had purchased property, took us to court in an attempt to deny us a building permit.  He thought our presence would damage property values.  At one point in the court proceedings, the grandmother of Roger Goodell - current National Football League commissioner, testified on her behalf.  She lived across the street.  She was in her eighties at the time.  When the city attorney challenged her ability to assess real estate values, she responded by saying, “I know exactly how much I want for my house.”   That broke up the courtroom in laughter.  Nevertheless we lost the first round.  The city attorney lived in a house owned by the man who took us to court.  The deck was stacked against us.

We finally realized we were going to be perpetually harassed and eventually purchased the property on Fairmount Avenue.  In the meantime, just to clear things up, we appealed to the New York State Supreme Court and won, but it was merely academic because we had already decided the new property was better.