It’s funny how a rent-dispute can change plans.
No sooner was it revealed that Park51, the so-called ground zero mosque and Islamic community center, was facing an almost $2 million rent tab from Con Edison than Sharif El-Gamal, the developer behind the nascent project, revealed that maybe a condo or a hotel might be better than a glorified Y. Read More
It looks like dreams of a downtown Islamic cultural center could be dashed if Park51 cannot come to an agreement with Con Edison. Dogmatic developer Sharif El-Gamal shares control of the site for the proposed community center with the utility, and Con-Ed now claims Park51 owes $1.7 million in back rent, according to the Post. Read More
With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 just a few weeks away, Sharif El-Gamal has gone on a media offensive. Despite the controversy last summer that consumed him and Park51, the so-called ground zero mosque, Mr. El-Gamal has not shied away from the press this August, talking to various outlets about progress on the project, and even launching a fundraiser despite the potential for it to stir criticism yet again. Now he has gone on Inside City Hall to confront Bob Turner, who attacked the mosque in a recent campaign ad. Read More
With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 just a month away, the firestorm over Park51, the so-called ground zero mosque, has yet to rekindle this year. This despite concerns that it might, even with a 9/10 fundraiser announced and changes in the plans, most of the attention is on the World Trade Center itself and the impressive progress there. There is one place in the city where the “mosque” debate rages once again: the outer-outer boroughs Anthony Weiner once called his political home. Read More
On Friday, the developer of the Park51 Islamic community center kicked off a $7 million fundraising drive, but that does not mean the project is getting off the ground any time soon. Read More
With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 on the horizon, things are chugging along at the World Trade Center site in preparation. On Friday, the mayor announced both President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush will be joining him at the ceremony. Two blocks away, two very short blocks, Sharif El-Gamal is rushing to meet his own September deadline. Read More
Whatever the motivations, a lawsuit against the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission over the proposed Park51 Islamic center is indeed historic. The conservative American Center for Law and Justice and former firefighter Timothy Brown brought the suit, alleging that the commission erred in not designating 45-47 Park Place a landmark last August. That decision that would Read More
Despite the occasional hiccup, it looks like the controversial Park51 Islamic community center downtown has weathered the furor that consumed it last year and will get built some day if the ambitious project can find $100 million.
That has not stopped a firefighter and a conservative legal group from continuing to Read More
Developer Sharif El-Gamal just can’t catch a break. Ever since he exploded into the national consciousness with the proposal for Park51, the so-called Ground Zero mosque, it’s just been one problem after another.
First there were all the threats from preachers and right-wing bloggers. Then El-Gamal was pursued for back-rent at his old Read More
Just when it looked like the controversy surrounding the Ground Zero “mosque” was finally behind us, a furor has errupted yet again over the developer of Park51′s decision to apply for 9/11 rebuilding grants from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.
The news first broke this morning at The Daily Beast, where writer John Avalon Read More
