NYT: Home of Punk-Rock Battles for Its Home

[DeepModem Mom]

Home of Punk-Rock Battles for Its Home


Nancy Siesel/The New York Times
CBGB is embroiled in a dispute with its landlord and faces eviction.

By BEN SISARIO
Published: March 7, 2005


For more than 30 years, CBGB, the eternally crumbling downtown nightclub, has with ragged pride withstood every hand the neighborhood and the music scene have dealt it: punk-rock, death metal, crack addicts, city inspectors and bad plumbing. But it may have met its match in one of the city's most respected charity group.

In a scrappy Bowery real-estate battle, CBGB has been in and out of court for much of the last four years with its landlord, the Bowery Residents' Committee, a nonprofit organization that helps the homeless. The dispute concerns enough unpaid rent to finance dozens of punk bands as well as numerous building violations that leave a paper trail as thick as the layers of fliers stapled to the club's walls.

In an arrangement known to few of the club's patrons, CBGB subleases its spaces at 313 and 315 Bowery from the organization, which shelters 175 homeless people in the floors above the club. In 2001, the organization began efforts to collect more than $300,000 in back rent from the club. Although much of that has now been paid, the club faces eviction over remaining debts of about $75,000, both parties say.

Both organizations have dug in their heels and claim a moral right to the property....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/07/arts/music/07cbgb.html?8hpib

[Renew Deal]

1. Maybe the city can make it a historical site.

It should

[flamingyouth]

2. Damn right n/t

[NYCGirl]

3. I spent many happy, wasted hours in that place.

I hope it survives. But the whole neighborhood is changing quickly.

[rocktivity]

4. Psst--hey CBGB! Ever heard of having a benefit?

And get the other area clubs involved, too. I have a music web site--I can help!

:headbang:
rocknation

[DeepModem Mom]

5. Great idea! You rock, rocknation!

n/t

[JerseygirlCT]

6. Does it seem just a little strange to you to be

putting on a benefit for a nightclub, while upstairs there are homeless people in need?

The place was great, the memories good, but I think those are some skewed priorities.

Now, if instead of fighting the homeless shelter/charity, they put on a benefit to support them, and continued to support them... that might be worth doing.

[DeepModem Mom]

7. You're right, Jerseygirl -- cooperation could benefit both. nt

[rocktivity]

8. The shelter and club have co-existed this long; they can continue to

If they really want their money, they will be in favor of a benefit. And if they want a piece of the action, all they have to do is ask politely.

:headbang:
rocknation