Tuesday (5/21) on the New York Times blog ArtsBeat, Robin Pogrebin writes, “A lawsuit has been filed against New York City and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts accusing them of limiting public access to Damrosch Park by using it for commercial purposes, including Fashion Week, for as many as 10 months of the year. The lawsuit was filed in New York State Supreme Court by a coalition of area residents and environmental groups along with Damrosch family members. It demands that the agreement between the Parks Department and Lincoln Center be terminated, that the park be restored and no longer be used for nonpark purposes and that any concession revenue from the park be paid into the city’s general fund. Lincoln Center said it does not comment on litigation matters. … The suit argues that revenue from the city’s July 2010 license agreement with Lincoln Center is being diverted from the city’s general fund to Lincoln Center, amounting to more than $32 million. … Starting in 2010, Damrosch Park—a 2.4-acre public park owned by the Parks Department—became off limits to the general public of much of mid-August to June, the lawsuit contends.”
Posted May 22, 2013
