‘You can’t sell our public space’: Dispute over NYC park heads to court

A group of New Yorkers filed a class-action lawsuit against Guastavino's, an event venue near the Queensboro Bridge, alleging it has treated a publicly owned plaza as private property for events starting at $150,000 for weddings. Plaintiffs, including a man arrested there and another who says he's been repeatedly kicked out since childhood, say the venue installed trellises, ropes and signage suggesting private ownership.

The city purchased the land around 1900 for the bridge, and the plaza once hosted a public market before the city began renting commercial space beneath the bridge decades later. Guastavino's has removed two 'private property' plaques since the suit was filed, though it hasn't responded to the lawsuit or requests for comment.

A local City Council staffer joined plaintiffs at a press conference, arguing the venue has no ownership claim over the space and that enforcement of its public status is overdue. Plaintiffs also want the city to examine how much revenue the venue made off restricting public access.

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