NYC construction halted over safety access fee dispute

A major construction project on the Upper East Side of New York City has hit a serious snag. The site, meant for a new 200-unit apartment complex at 355 E. 86th St., is currently just a large hole in the ground. The trouble stems from a dispute between the project's developers and a neighboring building. The builders are suing the owners of a nearby four-story walkup for demanding $20,000 before allowing access to their property for safety measures needed during construction. This demand has left the future of the new development uncertain. Eli Raider, the attorney for the developers, stated he has never encountered such a situation in his career. The neighboring building's lawyer argues that the demands are a way to stand up against a much larger property developer. The construction site was once home to various local businesses and apartments, which were cleared for the new buildings. Standard practice in such developments typically involves agreements with neighboring properties to ensure safety during excavation and construction. Raider claims the neighbor's request for money is not typical and is excessive. He explained that the escrow amount they are asking for, along with additional fees, is unusual. Meanwhile, the lawyer for the neighbor accused Raider of trying to push them into an unclear agreement. Raider has indicated he has made many attempts to communicate with the neighboring property’s owners, but his efforts have not been met with a response. He has now been forced to take legal action so that Cheskel Schwimmer, the developer, can start the necessary excavation work. Schwimmer purchased the land earlier this year for $50 million and intends to build two 23-story buildings that will contain nearly 200 apartments. The project is a significant development for the area, but it faces delays due to the ongoing legal dispute.