Ron Newman ([personal profile] ron_newman) wrote in [community profile] davis_square2016-04-06 07:03 pm

City of Somerville wants $138K from 240 Elm St. landlord before bfresh grocery can open

from Wicked Local/Somerville Journal:
Somerville officials demand $138K in labor costs after collapse before grocery moves into 240 Elm St
mayoral spokeswoman Jackie Rossetti told the Journal officials have sent Argiros numerous other invoices seeking an additional $138,044.14 for city-labor related expenses surrounding the building between July 22, 2015 and March 3. She said city officials will hold the building’s certificate of occupancy until they receive the payment.
Work cited in the invoices include fire and police detail, DPW labor, material, and overtime costs, inspectional services overtime, and traffic and parking meter and overtime expenses, with traffic and parking payments alone costing more than $75,000.

[identity profile] emcicle.livejournal.com 2016-04-06 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
obligatory this-is-why-we-can't-have-nice-things statement.

hopefully they will pay and things can move forward.

[identity profile] serious-noir.livejournal.com 2016-04-07 05:54 am (UTC)(link)
I've wondered if the landlord had to pay anything to Dunkin' Donuts for loss of business, etc. over the 6 (?) months it has been closed. Or maybe that would be covered by the landlord's insurance?

[identity profile] jeff markwardt (from livejournal.com) 2016-04-10 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
The fact that we're getting what appears to be a decent, legit grocery store is a godsend in what is a food desert area amidst a plethora of "food markets" with soda, chips, and lottery tickets. To the city: Make this happen. Compromise. Having access to decent whole foods should be a city service.