Yorktown Suspends Rent During Community Center Closure

04/23/2020 - The Town Board is suspending rent payments for the tenants of the Albert A. Capellini Community and Cultural Center for the period of time that the facility is closed due to New York State on Pause measures. 

“We cherish our community partners and value the services they provide our residents,” said Supervisor Matt Slater. “Tuesday night’s vote was a helping hand we are extending to our partners during this crisis.”

The affected tenants are the Westchester Ballet Center, Bright Beginnings, WestCOP Head Start and Yorktown Stage.

“The Yorktown Stage has experienced significant loss in revenue due to the coronavirus and is so thankful to the Town of Yorktown for recognizing the situation and forgiving our rent,” said Barry Liebman the producing director of the Yorktown Stage. “This is a perfect example of good government helping those in a time of need and we anxiously await resuming business and providing great entertainment for Yorktown residents.”

Collectively, the community center’s tenants pay about $20,000 a month in rent. The community center has been closed since mid-March when pandemic closures took effect. A reopening date for the community center is undetermined.

“We can’t in good conscience expect the center’s tenants to continue paying rent when they are facing so many challenges caused by the pandemic,” said Councilman Tom Diana.

“The community center’s tenants deliver vital services to our residents. By suspending their rent payments, we are increasing the likelihood that they will be able to reopen and serve our neighbors once again,” said Councilman Ed Lachterman.

“The Yorktown town board at its meeting Tuesday night unanimously voted to forego rent payment for its tenants at the Albert Capellini Community and Cultural Center.  The doors of the center have been and will remain shut to tenants while New York on Pause is in effect,” said Councilwoman Alice E. Roker.

“We are in the same boat and together we will come out stronger together,” said Councilman Vishnu Patel.