My name is Kadar Harris. I am a statutory resident at the Bellclaire Hotel located at the corner of 77th St and Broadway, residing in apartment unit 603. My roommate Walter Szumski, who is 63 years old and among the most at risk demographic to contract COVID-19 also resides in the apartment. 

Saturday May 2nd, 2020 upon leaving my residence I witnessed construction being done on the 6th floor of the apartment building as well as in the lobby of the building. Construction in NYS is against the law as I understand it, due to the pandemic.

Additionally, upon further investigation I was made aware by a hotel employee that the hotel effective Sunday May 3rd, 2020 began using the empty rooms in the hotel to house individuals who are affected by transitional living circumstances. 

Additionally, these  individuals being housed in the hotel with us statutory residents are not having their temperatures taken upon arrival. Prior to this being put into effect, myself nor any of the other residents were made aware that the hotel was going to do this. Nor has any resident been provided with Personal Protective Equipment by the hotel. To be completely frank all of the individuals I’ve seen appear to be very unsavory people. Tuesday afternoon not two days after they began to arrive, one of these people had to be restrained by 6 police officers in the lobby of the building and was subsequently arrested. Something like this never happened in recent memory prior to Tuesday. So there is also an aspect of resident’s physical safety being jeopardized; keeping in mind that almost all the statutory residents are senior citizens and most at risk to contract COVID-19 it is easy to see why this is outrageous. 

Aside from this being illegal because only EMPTY hotels are supposed to be utilized to house such individuals during the pandemic, it also posses a grave health risk to all the residents in the hotel. 

To put things into perspective I’m 37 years old and I would say I’m probably the youngest statutory resident living at the Hotel Belleclaire. Almost every other resident that lives here is well into their 60’s. 

This matter needs to be addressed and corrected ASAP. This is very negligent and very reprehensible. I have filed a complaint with the Department of Buildings, in addition to contacting the Riverside Law Project. Please sign the petition. 

Thank you !