East Harlem companies being displaced by the Second Avenue Subway extension declare the MTA is dragging its toes forking over the monetary compensation and relocation help they desperately want.
“They’ve left me hanging,” mentioned 59-year-old Lu Nicaj, whose 30-year tile-construction provide store Eagle Tile is going through closure over the upcoming second part of the behemoth Manhattan transit venture.
“I don’t know the long run. I’m maintaining my fingers crossed, however I have no idea what’s gonna occur,” he informed The Submit.
“It’s the entire David and Goliath factor,” Nicaj mentioned — including that this time David may not win.
Nicaj is only one of a number of East Harlem enterprise homeowners being compelled out of their storefronts to make manner for brand new subway stops between East 116th and East a hundred and twenty fifth streets as a part of the MTA’s long-awaited $7.7 billion train-line extension.
The MTA claimed eminent area on the properties in August — that means tenants and landowners alike got no alternative however to go away — whereas promising to supply the legally required monetary compensation and relocation help.
However months later, many companies being booted by the MTA mentioned they’ve been annoyed by the little assist they’ve obtained — together with Nicaj, who mentioned he’s spent $100,000 to maneuver supplies from the close by lot he’s rented for years to his retailer his stock however has heard nothing from the MTA on when or even when they’re going to pay him again.
“I’m gonna be in debt and a gap for some time till I pull myself out. It’s gonna be some time earlier than I could make that cash again,” he mentioned.
Nicaj’s precise storefront just isn’t on the chopping block, however with out that lot, he has nowhere to retailer the supplies he makes his cash from and expects to shut down if he can’t discover another quick.
“They didn’t promise me something. They mentioned they’ll see what they’ll do,” he mentioned. “I’m getting plenty of pushback, plenty of ‘Sure, sure, sure, we’ll get again to you, we’ll get again to you,’ however nothing is finished.”
The Second Avenue Subway’s first extension part was accomplished in 2017 when the Q prepare was dropped at East 96th Avenue, with the MTA spending about $10 million to relocate displaced residents and companies.
However many shops now going through eviction over part two are scared the MTA may not come via in time to maintain their companies afloat.
The nook deli on the finish of Nicaj’s block had a 10-year lease on the storefront however is being kicked out by the MTA simply three years into that time period.
Its proprietor mentioned the MTA employed a real-estate dealer to indicate him alternate areas however that none match what he wanted.
“I’m simply losing my time there,” he mentioned of the MTA’s showings, explaining that he’s begun areas on his personal.
“All my cash is tied up in there. I spent some huge cash. I invested $350,000,” he mentioned of his enterprise.
Subsequent door, the Touba African Retailer is getting evicted from its house of 14 years.
The clothes retailer’s proprietor, Diop, mentioned the MTA confirmed him a property he appreciated three months in the past — however that they’ve didn’t observe up with him on the deal.
“They are saying all the pieces, they referred to as the corporate,” Diop mentioned. “They mentioned they are going to name again, however they haven’t.”
Diop mentioned the MTA hasn’t proven him one other property in three months.
“I’m annoyed. I really feel like I’m in limbo, however there may be nothing I can do,” he mentioned. I’m simply ready on them.”
The MTA didn’t reply to a Submit request for remark.
