Community Leaders Speak Out Against Owner of Prospect Park Residence

Last week, news broke that the management of Prospect Park Residence -- a senior living facility on the corner of Prospect Park West and Union Street -- held a meeting to inform the tenants that the place is shutting down, and they all have 90 days to move out. The official reason given by Executive Director, David Pomerantz, blames escalating taxes:

Since 2009, Prospect Park Residence’s ownership and management have taken extraordinary steps to ensure a stable and predictable environment for its residents and staff by absorbing escalating costs. However, five years later, the economic recovery remains sluggish and the company’s tax obligation has sky-rocketed – increasing by nearly $1 million.

However, a source told The Real Deal that Haysha Deitsch, owner of both the building and the PPR itself, that He "likely intends to turn the center into condos." Local officials spoke out quickly, with Councilman Brad Lander and assembly members Joan Millman and James Brennan releasing a statement opposing the plan, and calling on the owner, Haysha Deitsch, to reconsider. 

Rabbi Andy Bachman, of Congregation Beth Elohim, gave the following statement exclusively to FIPS:

The proposed sale of the Prospect Park Residence lacks basic Jewish values of decency, kindness and respect for elders. It is plainly immoral. Our faith tradition has taught for generations that the highest honor in our community is bestowed upon the oldest among us. The value of their wisdom and long life is immeasurable.  Clergy and many members of Congregation Beth Elohim will be joining the organizing efforts to stop this unjust transaction. Surely, an observant Jew like Haysha Deitsch ought to know enough about Judaism to recognize that providing for the elderly is a far greater value than the profits he seeks in this insensitive business deal.

Boom. The fact is, this story is not just about the seniors living at Prospect Park Residence, but it is also about their families, a large number of whom live in Park Slope, making it easy to visit their elderly relatives often. I speak from experience: My husband's 95 year old grandmother has lived there for the past year and a half. 

Business is business, but if the taxes were really the issue, couln't they just raise the costs to live there? Not to mention, they were signing people to new leases up until the day before they made this announcement. Talk about shitty. This guy wants a big payday. Fuck him.