U.S. v. Glenwood Management Corp (S.D.N.Y.)

On February 11, 2016, the court entered a consent order in  United States v. Glenwood Management Corp. (S.D.N.Y.).  The complaint, filed on February 3, 2016, against Glenwood Management Corporation, Liberty Street Realty, L.L.C., and Stephen B. Jacobs Group, P.C., alleged these defendants failed to design and construct Liberty Plaza, an apartment building at 10 Liberty Street, New York, New York, and eight other residential properties in New York City in compliance with the Fair Housing Act's accessibility requirements. The partial consent order resolves the claims against developers Glenwood Management Corporation and Liberty Street Realty, L.L.C.  This decree requires the developers, Glenwood Management Corporation and Liberty Street Realty, L.L.C., to perform retrofits of certain noncompliant features in the public and common-use areas and in the dwelling units of Liberty Plaza, and conduct compliance audits and formulate proposals for any retrofits needed at eight other properties.  The decree also requires the developers to pay at least $440,000, and up to $900,000, to compensate persons aggrieved by the alleged discriminatory housing practices, as well as a civil penalty of $50,000.

On May 18, 2016, the court entered a second consent order in this case resolving the remaining claims against architect Stephen B. Jacobs Group, P.C. In it, the architect specifically acknowledges providing design services for Liberty Plaza and that, as built, certain features did not satisfy HUD’s accessibility guidelines. This decree requires the architect to pay $15,000 to compensate persons aggrieved by the alleged discriminatory housing practices, as well as a civil penalty of $25,000.