Harlem tenants and Assemblyman Wright rally to end real estate giant's "predatory practices."

"Hey hey, ho ho, Pinnacle Group has got to go!" was the blaring chant of angry protestors recently gathered outside West 34th Street and Penn Plaza in Manhattan, headquarters of the real estate giant accused of abusive business practices which frequently result in the displacement of thousands of longtime Harlem residents.

In response to an outcry from constituents, community organizations and leaders in greater Harlem and Northern Manhattan, Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright (D-Harlem) held the rally downtown to send a message that unfair tactics and the harassment and unnecessary evictions of tenants located uptown would not be tolerated.

Among the many tenants groups joining Wright were Mirabal Sisters Cultural & Community Center, Inc., The Harlem Tenant's Council, Buyers and Renters United to Save Harlem (BRUSH), the Coalition to Preserve Community, and representatives of City Council and the New York State Senate.

"We have been in a long-term battle against gentrification practices and slum lords in Harlem, and we are well acquainted with Baruch Singer, the notorious slumlord of the Dunbar Houses and five other buildings who reportedly sold his properties to the Pinnacle Group," said Wright. He added, "In the last few years we have seen a population and development growth never before seen in Harlem. Unfortunately, some of the growth has been at the expense of our current residents, who at the hands of a select number of questionable developers are being pushed out of the neighborhoods they helped form. That is unacceptable and intolerable and must ceases and desist."

Activists, including former Council Member Bill Perkins, claim that the Pinnacle Group is a front and vanguard of devious efforts to allow landlords to hide their interests while the larger company gobbles up the housing stock for luxury condos, driving up prices beyond the reach of current tenants.

Activists also agree that this type of practice in Harlem can conceivably be the dangerous prototype for break out groups elsewhere who will work to displace tenants, particularly in the remaining boroughs.

Activists claim that over the last decade the Pinnacle Group has purchased many buildings and hundreds of units within Manhattan, "many of which have already been converted to luxury housing and others remaining empty, possible evidence of warehousing for profit."

Representatives of the Pinnacle Group declined an interview with the AmNews but released a written statement defending their business dealings, stating, "We challenge anyone to find one Pinnacle-owned property that is not safer, cleaner and better off than it was before we took over management or ownership of the building!"

Pinnacle Group is a third generation family business that owns and manages primarily rent-regulated housing in New York City.

"It is unfortunate that there are a number of baseless and simply erroneous charges circulating among tenants, public officials and within the community," writes Robert Barletta, spokesperson for the Pinnacle Group. "Today's protest is no different. We have offered to meet with today's protest leaders on numerous occasions to discuss any issues they may have, but it seems they are motivated more by their own selfish agenda than finding out the truth."

According to the statement, since its founding in the 1950's "the Pinnacle Group strives to provide residents of its buildings with high-quality, safe housing, and is committed to accomplishing that objective by making capital and other improvements to its buildings, upgrading building services and demonstrating respect for its tenants."

Along with building improvements (including the installation of new doors, interior and exterior lighting, roof alarms, security surveillance cameras and more) Pinnacle says they are committed to tenants by being responsive to concerns and are receptive to tenant suggestions for improvement.

Pinnacle supports community groups and programs like the Harlem Little League and the Uth Turn organization for "at-risk" youth.

Pinnacle says their employees "comprise a diverse and dedicated group that work together to provide residents of Pinnacle buildings with the services that all residents deserve." And, to facilitate home ownership, Pinnacle admits having filed plans to convert certain of its rental properties to condominiums.

Pinnacle writes, "All tenants in buildings that are converted to condominiums are given an opportunity to become the owners of their current apartments at discounted 'insider prices'; tenants are not obligated to purchase their apartments because each plan is a 'non-eviction' plan. Tenants retain all of their rights under rent regulation laws if they decide not to purchase their apartments."

Statements from tenants at properties owned by Pinnacle, however, detail what they call constant harassment: allegedly discriminating against Latino tenants, invasion of privacy and alleged mail theft to facilitate bogus court proceeding, and sustaining second-degree burns from a radiator explosion, the alleged result of long-standing need for repair.

The Pinnacle Group says they will continue to make themselves available to meet with any tenant, tenant group or public official who has a concern over a Pinnacle Group property. They stated, "We are confident that once they hear the facts, they will see that Pinnacle is a . tremendous asset in providing quality housing for New Yorkers."

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By Talise D. Moorer, Special to the AmNews