WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. August 31, 2007: Judge Barbara Leak of White Plains City Court ruled earlier this week in favor of Cappelli Enterprises in its effort to evict The Corner Nook café and Continental Foods from the 240 Main Street block, where the development firm plans to build affordable housing to satisfy its obligation to the city prior to opening The Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The Ritz-Carlton Westchester is also reporting on its website that the Ritz at 221 Main Street will open in November, not October as previously planned.
The Corner Nook/Continental Deli legal dispute with Cappelli Enterprises was ruled on this week. The Nook must vacate 240 Main Street by October 31, according to its owner, speaking to WPCNR today.
Jim Benerofe, the White Plains Week commentator, broke the news on the weekly news roundup show. White Plains Week this evening on White Plains Public Access Television. According to the owner of The Corner Nook, Peter Dimitrakakis, speaking to the CitizeNetReporter, this afternoon Judge Leak’s court order stipulates he must be out of the premises as of October 31. It could not be learned directly from the Cappelli organization if demolition would commence promptly November 1 for construction of the affordable housing the Cappelli organization owes the city as part of the Ritz-Carlton project.
Dimitrakakis said he had no idea at this time what he was going to do with his business that has been at the present location for 24 years. He said Cappelli Enterprises had indicated they would attempt to help him relocate. A WPCNR call to Bruce Berg of Cappelli Enterprises as to when demolition would start on the Nook—Continental complex for construction of the 41 units of affordable housing Cappelli Enterprises expects to build on the site – was placed, but Mr. Berg was out of the office.
The Nook has been living on borrowed time since 2002 when Cappelli Enterprises purchased the complex. Meanwhile the Corner Nook has reaped a fortune in breakfast, lunch and break business from the construction workers swarming over the City Center project from 2001 to 2003, and now the 221 Main Ritz Hotel project under construction from 2004 to the present.
A falling out between developers Martin Ginsburg and A. J. Rotundi created a cross-suit between the two partners making the erection of the Ginsburg Development Corporation Pinnacle indefinite at this time. The Pinnacle development, followers of WPCNR will recall, was going to incorporate affordable units in its Pinnacle project and fulfill Cappelli affordable housing obligations. Since Mr. Rotundi and Mr. Ginsburg have been in litigation, the question of Cappelli Enterprise obligations to build the affordable apartments has been in the air.
Cappelli Enterprises, owing 41 units of constructed affordable housing 17 on the City Center project and 24 as its quota owed the City on its Ritz-Carlton project has pursued two options: building affordable units in the City Center Parking Garage facility under the New York Sports Club or building units on the Corner Nook site.
Judge Barbara Leak’s decision now allows Cappelli Enterprises to begin construction on the affordable units, which will allow them to obtain Certificates of Occupancy for not only the Ritz-Carlton Hotel complex, but also the condominium Residences at the Ritz-Carlton.
WPCNR awaits details on Cappelli Enterprise plans for the affordable housing from the Cappelli organization.
THE RITZ TODAY. A Cappelli spokesperson said the hotel would be opening November 14. He said the hotel section of the project was really taking shape.
Meanwhile, the Ritz-Carlton Westchester website reports the planned opening of the Ritz-Carlton hotel on Main Street will be in November, not October 10 as had been previously stated just two weeks ago. The website reports the hotel will now open in November. Geoffrey Thompson, spokesperson for Capppelli Enterprises said the opening is now scheduled for November 14.
