Former Democratic Club on Ralph Avenue at Center of Dispute Between Mealy and Landlord
Back in July, we wondered what was in store for the former Unity Democratic Club at 203 Ralph Avenue in Bed Stuy. We hadn’t seen any signs of life there in years. In July, the old sign came down and the landlord appeared to be sprucing up the place for a new tenant, or perhaps to…
Back in July, we wondered what was in store for the former Unity Democratic Club at 203 Ralph Avenue in Bed Stuy. We hadn’t seen any signs of life there in years. In July, the old sign came down and the landlord appeared to be sprucing up the place for a new tenant, or perhaps to advertise the space for lease.
Well, now we know: The building is actually the one at the center of the dispute between City Council Member Darlene Mealy and her office landlord. To recap in case you have not been following: She is months behind on her rent, and owes $7,500, according to her landlord quoted in the Post. The landlord changed the locks, and she had him arrested. He retaliated by draping three banners on the building’s fire escape proclaiming her to be a deadbeat tenant.
The banners read: “Councilwoman Darlene Mealy is a deadbeat tenant. She owes five months rent for 203 Ralph and refuses to pay. Her monthly rent is $1,250. She offered me $1,000. This is another prime example of one local elected official who has failed me, you and this community.”
We’re not sure what other local officials he might be referring to, but just a few blocks away on Bainbridge near Broadway is a home belonging to the Boylands, a “political dynasty…known as the ‘Black Kennedys of Brownsville,’ ” according to the New York Daily News. Former State Assemblyman William Boyland Jr. was convicted of extortion and soliciting real estate-related bribes earlier this year.
The Post identified 203 Ralph Avenue as Mealy’s district office, but that in fact is located at 1757 Union Street, according to Mealy’s website. Mealy reps District 41, which includes parts of Bed Stuy East, Ocean Hill, Brownsville and a smidgen of East Flatbush.
“Deadbeat” Brooklyn Pol Gets Her Landlord Arrested [NY Post]
Sign for Bed Stuy Democratic Club Gone [Brownstoner]
Democrats screwing business owners and misusing taxpayer dollars? Where’s the new news?
shame on her for abusing her political power and ripping off the landlord, especially considering the rent is already kind of low for a commercial space. It’s a joke for someone who can afford an architect to stiff their landlord for such reasonable rent. Her constituents should seriously boycott her.
Also has the police crossed the line by arresting the landlord? As Resident2 pointed out, it is not illegal for landlord to lock out commercial tenants if they don’t pay rent.
For a commercial leased space, it is NOT against the law for a landlord to lock the tenant out if they have not paid the rent.
Totally agree with you MM. There are bad apples in both parties!!
exactly. If there is a lease and rent isn’t being paid…..why are we not seeing eviction proceedings?
Did landlord not get a written agreement?