Ground Zero mosque owes $1.7 million in back rent; faces eviction

October 17, 2011
by Howard Portnoy

The infamous Ground Zero mosque, which quietly opened in September, faces a new dilemma. This time, the difficulties are unrelated to religious freedom.

According to the New York Post, Park51, the development company behind the mosque project, owes Con Ed $1.7 million in back rent. They have been given an ultimatum by the utility: settle up or forfeit their claim to the property.

Currently, there are two buildings on the site. The one on the eastern half, a former wholesale clothing outlet, is owned outright by Park51. The one on the western half is a former substation owned by Con Ed, which has been leasing the space out to Park51. Currently, the ground floor is being used for prayer services, though eventually both structures are to be razed in preparation for the construction of a new $100 million, 15-story community center and mosque. the rest

Ground Zero Mosque grounded