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Battle of Toxic Mold: Kaity Tong Vs. Condo Conversion
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 23, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 23, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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For the past few months, the Post has been detailing the problems of apartment mold at a new condo conversion - and how they have forced longtime New York City local news personality Kaity Tong out of her home. In September, Tong had been living in Gramercy Park Hotel for many weeks, as the floors and wall in her Chelsea home started to buckle, seemingly caused by the conversion of the O'Neill Building, on Sixth Avenue, next door. Tong's lawyer told the Post at the time, "There were never any leaks or problems in Kaity's apartment until work began next door."
What's more, toxic mold appeared in her apartment. Then, in early November, the Post updated the story noting that Tong was still living at the Gramercy Park Hotel. The O'Neill's developer, Elad Properties, agreed to pay the hotel bill, but the Post promised to start "Kaity Watch."
Now Tong and husband Patrick Callahan are starting their fifth month at the hotel. She told the Post, "Now [Elad is] saying that their [independent] tests show that the damage isn't coming from their side and that it's OK to go back," but her "apartment is still torn up, and two of the rooms are cordoned off with plastic - and there's still mold." Her lawyer says a third party will now step in and determine who owes whom money.
Mariska Hargitay and Metallica's manager have bought penthouses at the O'Neill. And, hilariously, the building's website suggest it's one ill building.
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Chelsea
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In September
kaity tong
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local news
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money
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new york city
news
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sixth avenue
The O
theoneillbuilding
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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