The Curmudgeon of Rivington Street

In the early 1990s, Pierson Tyler-Leonard found solace in a rundown walk-up on Rivington Street in the Lower East Side of New York City. He first shared the apartment with Robert Riggs, who was famously convicted of the notorious murder that marked the end of the Club Kid era. The pair grew a successful hat-making business out of their apartment while simultaneously creating a destination for the burgeoning drag scene. "It was chaos, it was bedlam," said James St. James, who wrote the book "Party Monster" about the Club Kid era.

 

As the neighborhood changed, Tyler-Leonard witnessed the erasure of the neighborhood's unique character. When Margaret Kieu and Yuriy Nartov moved into the neighboring apartment six years ago, Tyler-Leonard assumed they would be like the other yuppy neighbors. However, the couple surprised him by baking pies and helping with groceries, creating an unexpected bond between the neighbors. As they neighbors grew closer, Tyler-Leonard revealed information about their walk-up: it should be rent-stabilized.

 

After investigating and realizing they were being overcharged, Kieu sought legal advice from attorney Jack L. Lester, who encouraged her to organize her neighbors. Uncovering discrepancies in rent payments, the tenants discovered that their apartments were indeed rent-stabilized, challenging the landlord's attempt to charge market rate prices. Because of problematic receipts produced by the landlord and no documentation of renovations, a 2022 court reduced Kieu and Nartov's rent to $347. 

 

Despite ongoing disputes, tenants like Tyler-Leonard and his neighbors continue to fight for their rights, embodying a fiery spirit in their pursuit of justice. They have filed numerous complaints, resulting in 44 violations in the past two years, addressing issues such as self-closing doors, vermin, and trash.

 

For more information see  Ronda Kaysen “The Curmudgeon of Rivington Street”, The New York Times, February 4, 2024.