realestate

Clumsy Video Exposes City Lease Dealings in Bronx Warehouse Scandal

City Council Grills Officials Over Troubled Building Deal

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video promoting the Bronx Logistics Center as a prime location for city agencies has raised eyebrows among City Council members. The video, featuring Jesse Hamilton, deputy commissioner of real estate services at DCAS, highlights the property's potential to accommodate multiple agencies. However, this promotional effort may have compromised the city's negotiating position when considering purchasing or leasing the property.

    The video was shown during a hearing where Commissioner Louis Molina faced questions about his agency's leasing practices. The city had been considering acquiring the property for NYPD and Department of Sanitation vehicle storage. It is unclear whether the city intended to purchase or lease the building.

    The emergence of this video coincides with an investigation into the city's commercial leases, which includes a probe into Hamilton's activities. Last month, investigators seized his phone as he returned from a trip to Japan with Mayor Eric Adams' aide and a Cushman & Wakefield broker.

    Molina stated that the Office of Management and Budget is not funding or entertaining the purchase or leasing of the warehouse. DCAS has since confirmed that they are not moving forward with the lease or acquisition of the Bronx Logistics Center at this time.

    The timeline surrounding the city's decision to abandon the property is unclear, and it remains uncertain whether the investigation into commercial leases influenced this decision.

Bronx warehouse scandal exposed through leaked video footage of lease dealings.