Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

Your story “Columbia shuts down Floridita for repairs” (April 27) correctly reported that Floridita owner Ramon Diaz agreed in early February that permanent repairs to the damaged kitchen floor would begin by April 26. This was in order to ensure the safety of both employees and patrons in a University-owned commercial property.

Spectator also correctly identified the fact that, at his request, temporary repairs were made in October of 2009 to allow Mr. Diaz to operate through the busy holiday season. What the article does not entirely make clear, is that once the University received the professional opinion of the consulting engineer and architect who said that the temporary repairs would last for six months, it became our obligation to address the repairs within that time-frame. Our goal has always been to make the repairs as quickly as possible (it is anticipated that it will take six weeks), so that Mr. Diaz can resume his operations as quickly as possible.

What the article implies but does not explain is that while Mr. Diaz knew of the issue as far back as October 2009, it seems he chose not inform his employees about it. Nor did he do so in February 2010 when he acknowledged the need to address the situation by April 26, even though this was a period during which he was in regular communication with the University regarding the matter. You can imagine that a business owner would find it inappropriate for the University to independently inform his employees of a work-related issue such as this. The need to address this situation should not have been a surprise to them.

Finally, with respect to the lease, Mr. Diaz claims to have signed for the attractive relocation space on 125th street; however your article does not make clear the incontrovertible fact that Mr. Diaz only delivered a marked-up and inadequately executed lease on Tuesday afternoon, after he apparently spoke to Spectator.

Our focus has always been to find a solution to challenges that Mr. Diaz himself brought to our attention last fall. The story here seems to be more of an internal one to the Floridita management. Columbia, as a landlord, is doing exactly as tenants expect, and quite frankly demand—making necessary repairs in a timely fashion to ensure health and safety. We look forward to fulfilling this responsibility in a way that makes it possible for Mr. Diaz to reopen and remain open for business in Manhattanville for many years to come.

La-Verna Fountain
Associate Vice President, Construction Business Services and Communications
Columbia University Facilities