BY ALINE REYNOLDS
Following the news that Strauss-Khan ordered steaks from Landmarc, an upscale Tribeca bistro, while under house arrest in his spacious townhouse on Franklin Street, Stringer plans to send him a bill for all municipal expenses related to his temporary stay in Lower Manhattan.
“The circus may be in town, but that doesn’t mean that we New Yorkers have to pay for it,” said Stringer, addressing the crowd of French and American media at a press conference on May 26, across the street from Strauss-Kahn’s residence. “This guy has been running up quite a tab,” said Stringer.
Tribeca is a bustling residential neighborhood whose residents shouldn’t have to incur more congestion and other disturbances related to Strauss-Khan’s stay, Stringer added.
“Let me remind you this is not just a quaint little street in New York City where he has positioned himself,” said Stringer. “The neighborhood is home to seven public schools, four colleges, seven day care centers, six senior centers, residences and three community centers.”
Stringer pointed out that the neighborhood was dealing with a whole host of transportation issues related to the opening of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. “The last thing [residents] need is this type of intrusion,” he said.
Nearby residents have contacted Stringer’s office complaining about the army of reporters camped out on the north side of Franklin Street between Varick and Hudson Streets, according to Audrey Gelman, Stringer’s spokesperson. The media crews, the residents bemoaned, are also taking up several parking spaces in the vicinity.
“I just think this is a bit ridiculous. It’s just a waste of money putting two policemen outside of the house all day, when they could be doing something else,” said Leonard Street resident Jenny Aldridge. “It’s just a farce, the whole thing. I just hope they go away.”
Others, in contrast, are not concerned about Strauss-Khan’s presence in the community, such as Murray Street resident Jane Schoenberg. “He’ll get attention, but I don’t think it’s going to disrupt the community,” she said. “There are a lot of other important people. They go about doing their own thing.”
Another Leonard Street resident, who declined to give her name, was equally indifferent. “Today’s the first day there’s been any news cameras out here. I think it’ll all be forgotten in a couple of days,” she said.
Either way, Stringer is expecting Strauss-Kahn to pay up for his luxurious lifestyle. The borough president’s office is currently conducting a financial assessment of the city’s total cost related to Strauss-Kahn’s Tribeca stay, which could amount to several million dollars.
“We can’t do anything about the decision to grant him house arrest, but we can demand… that Mr. Strauss-Khan take out his checkbook and reimburse the city for the entire cost of his palace-like lifestyle that is making a mockery out of the judicial system,” said Stringer.
Strauss-Khan will be living in Tribeca for the duration of his trial at the Manhattan Criminal Court, according to Stringer’s office.
