By Lincoln Anderson
The Bottom Line got another boost on Monday in its effort to stay at W. Fourth and Mercer Sts., when AT&T announced a $100,000 sponsorship for programs and events at the club.
“AT&T’s sponsorship is given in the spirit of supporting a cultural icon for music lovers that uniquely represents the vibrancy and diversity of New York,” said Kevin Crull, AT&T Consumer senior vice president.
“We’re looking forward to working with The Bottom Line in its mission to showcase new and known artists today and in the future,” he said. According to a press release, AT&T will announce additional details of the sponsorship in the coming months.
Said Allan Pepper, co-founder and co-owner of The Bottom Line, “AT&T’s generous sponsorship is recognition of our intent to survive our current business difficulties, and to thrive in the coming years.”
The 29-year-old live music club’s future has been in doubt since September when its landlord, New York University, took it to court over failure to pay rent arrears in excess of $185,000 that accumulated over about three years.
In September, Sirius Satellite Radio committed to paying the nightclub’s back rent, but only if N.Y.U. gives the Bottom Line a 10-year lease. The case remains in court. Judge Donna Recant on Oct. 23 said she would take 30 days to make a decision. The 30 days expired Monday, but the judge can take longer if she wishes.
Jessica Herman Weitz, Pepper’s assistant, speaking on Tuesday, said, “We thought the decision would be yesterday. It’s up to the judge. We haven’t stopped raising money.”
Weitz said the funds AT&T pledged will go into the escrow account the club is building to pay for renovations for the Bottom Line, something N.Y.U. made a requirement for granting a lease. N.Y.U. set this figure at $1.5 million, but the Bottom Line is aiming for $1 million, feeling it’s more realistic.
A Dec. 5 benefit concert has been scheduled at the Bottom Line, with John Hiatt, Suzanne Vega and Dar Williams. Meg Griffin, the deejay and Sirius programmer who has come to the club’s aid, said they could raise a total of $40,000 by packing both the early and late shows at the 400-person capacity club. Tickets are still available at $60.
Griffin said the club is planning two more separate benefit concerts in the next month or so, both “big names. One who got his start at the Bottom Line — it’s not Springsteen,” she said. Griffin said this musician, who is “known globally,” would assemble an all-star band. “He’s not from New York — but when he came to New York, this is where he started,” she hinted.
The other musician is also a solo act. Griffin said she didn’t want to name names at risk of ruining “the karma.” Springsteen incidentally has pledged money to help the club.
Community Board 2’s Institutions Committee passed a resolution last Thursday encouraging N.Y.U. and the Bottom Line to try to work things out so the club could stay. Griffin and another supporter testified for the club, while Michael Haberman, N.Y.U. director of government and community relations, explained that while the university would like the Bottom Line to remain, they have been put in the position of a nonprofit institution “subsidizing” a for-profit establishment.
The board approved the resolution, though not without some criticism from members as to whether it was appropriate to wade into landlord/tenant matters.
“It seems to me these people aren’t paying their rent,” said Bob Rinaolo, a C.B. 2 member. “Granted, they’re a cultural landmark — you don’t pay your rent, you’re out.”
However, Marty Tessler said the resolution’s wording was general enough that it was appropriate.
After the board’s vote, as the Bottom Line contingent was leaving the meeting, Arty Strickler, Board 2 district manager, followed them into the hall and scolded them.
“You owe rent! You pay rent!” he shouted at Griffin.
“Get a life!” Griffin retorted, deciding it was a good time to head for the elevator.
“Pay your rent!” Strickler repeated.
