Lady Gagas Father Says Homeless Population is Hurting His Grand Central Restaurant – NBC New York

Lady Gaga's father is refusing to pay $260,000 in rent and fees for hisrestaurant at New York City's Grand Central Terminal, saying the homelesspopulation is hurting his business.

Joe Germanotta, owner of Art Bird & Whiskey Bar, said he wants theMetropolitan Transit Authority, which oversees the busy commuter train station,to renegotiate his rent or release him from his lease, which expires in 2028, TheWall Street Journal reported Thursday.

Germanotta and other business owners on the terminal's lower concourse saidthey are struggling because of a homelessness problem, rodent infestation, andoutdated furniture and facilities.

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"I want to stay," Germanotta said. "I just can't afford tounder these conditions."

Several restaurateurs said that they regret securing a lease and that monthly payments consume 30% or more of their gross revenues double what they would expect to pay at another location in the city, the Journal reported in December.

The Journal reviewed a letter from the MTA to Germanotta telling him if hisdebt was not paid within two weeks, the authority would begin the process ofrepossessing the property.

If an agreement can't be reached with the MTA, Germanotta said, he plans toseek more than $1.5 million for investments in the restaurant, construction andloss of business.

Germanotta attended an MTA board meeting Monday and told commissioners thehomelessness and state of public restrooms is causing business owners in theterminal to struggle.

MTA board member Neal Zuckerman acknowledged the homelessness in theterminal, citing "loitering and frankly harassment" of commuters.

But MTA Police Chief Al Stiehler said officers will not eject people who areabiding by terminal rules.

"These are people, they are suffering, they need help, they needassistance and we will do everything we can every day to provide them the helpthat they need," Stiehler said. "We are very mindful to protect theirrights."

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Lady Gagas Father Says Homeless Population is Hurting His Grand Central Restaurant - NBC New York