Earlier in 2022, a prominent family representing the homeowners of 71st Street learned that The Frick had planned for a new entrance for an American with Disabilities Accessibility (ADA) ramp on their block. The alleged plan was to allow access to the back entrance, thus creating an alternate entry point for catering and event hall services. This could result in large amounts of people, traffic, delivery, and food trucks lining up on this tree-lined block.
Adam Leitman Bailey P.C. jumped into action. We visited the site and gathered information by speaking to the workers, neighbors and experts and studying The Frick’s building plans. We learned that the Frick needed to raise money to survive, and this outlet would allow them to earn extra revenue.
Adam Leitman Bailey drafted a letter for the community board and, with his team, created a video showing the street with and without the commotion of a crowd. The letter was distributed to the ‘Transportation Committee of Community Board 8 regarding the Americans with Disabilities Ramp proposed by the Frick at the 71st Street entrance of the Frick Library’.
At this appearance, Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. advised the Transportation Committee that The Frick was being dishonest with their intentions for the ramp. They argued that The Frick was using the need to install an ADA ramp as a decoy and were planning to install a catering and event hall services ramp instead. More importantly, Bailey was given the chance to cross-examine the architect in charge of The Frick’s construction. This cross-examination demonstrated to the Community Board members that the Frick was being disingenuous by not answering Adam Leitman Bailey truthfully.
Adam Leitman Bailey knew to go into more detail by explaining to the Committee that the ramp would result in this quiet and pristine street being turned into another dirty and derelict space in the city by a strew of food trucks. He challenged the Frick on why this ramp was not in their original plans. Bailey challenged their claim that they were using the space as a library when no one could enter inside to check out a book. He showed the Community Board members that The Frick had no intention of using this space for its stated purpose. He also educated the Committee on how the unlawfully large size of the ramp would result in safety issues for the public using the sidewalk. Despite this resounding cross-examination and presentation, the vote was not cast in our favor as it did not challenge the ramp. However, the vote was close, and the word spread quickly, gaining momentum for the cause.
On February 15th, with our letter and materials in hand, the full Community Board 8 met again. They amended the resolution submitted by the Frick and voted to approve The Frick’s ramp for limited purposes only. The ramp is only to be used during library hours and for operational needs (i.e. no ticket sales, catering, or parties would take place). As a result, the fake library, which did not need the additional entrance in the first place, would never be built.
The tree-lined block was saved from food and delivery trucks, traffic and large crowds of people by the small law firm that does not believe in ‘no’.
Adam Leitman Bailey spoke at the hearing and created the strategy to battle The Frick’s attorneys and developers. Joanna C. Peck worked at reducing the noise at the Townhouses and finding inaccuracies in the building plans. The Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. Marketing Team created the PowerPoint and Video presentation.
