Developer of East Village Hotel Blames a “Grass Roots Campaign of Fear and Misinformation” for Project Holdup
Kalodop sought approval to convert its one-story parking garage on East 4th street into an eight-story hotel, but the plan was met with controversy due to the project’s location adjacent to the Merchant’s House Museum. In the suit, Kalodop asked the court to reverse the City Council’s disapproval, arguing that the Landmarks Preservation Commission and City Planning Commission had already approved their project, which required certain amendments to the Zoning Resolution and special permits, but a campaign of misinformation that Kalodop’s project would result in catastrophic damage to the Merchant’s House Museum, led by the Executive Director of the Merchant’s House Museum, rallied community members to oppose the development, thereby influencing City Council. Kalodop has worked to ease community concerns and to ensure the Merchant’s House Museum is not damaged during construction. Scott Ross is working to overturn the City Council’s decision.