Opponents To Extell's Arts League Air Rights Purchase File Suit

MIDTOWN—After the overwhelming majority vote of 1,342 to 227 amongst Art Students League members on February 12 to accept Extell's $31.8 million in exchange for air rights over the Art Students League building at 217 West 57th Street, over 100 members of the non-profit opposed to the deal filed suit to block the transfer. According to a lawsuit filed last Monday, 111 members of the ASL believe that the air rights Extell will use to cantilever part of their neighboring superscraper 30-stories above the small building are worth more than a whopping $400 million. Not only is Extell being sued by these angry ASL members, but so too are the League as a whole and the twelve individual members of the Board of Control of the Art Students League. Extell bought the bulk of the air rights from the non-profit in 2005, but only just reached a deal for the right to build a cantilever. The deal will close when the project secures financing, or on December 31; whichever comes first and, more than likely, with little effect from the lawsuit. [TRD; previously]

HARLEM—In an attempt to "[address] the perception of clear geodemographic positioning of existing and planned bike stations," a Change.org petition has been started by neighborhood residents to bring CitiBikes to Harlem, following New York Magazine's announcement of the companies plan to bring more stations to "wealthy neighborhoods" like the Upper East Side, Park Slope, and Cobble Hill. The petition seeks to press the Department of Transportation into bringing the bike share program to Harlem. The petition is looking for 100 signatures. [CurbedWire inbox; previously]

LIC—After less than a year on the market, The Bindery, a luxury housing development at 37-44 11th Street, is now off the market. The new development is one of the first residential properties in the neighborhood that sold for over $1,000 per square foot. Closing prices in the 20-unit building are reported between $534,581 for a studio and $941,881 for a two-bedroom. [CurbedWire inbox; previously]