STUCK IN PARK

Cars of Apthorp building residents are still being parked on the street two months after a complaint was sent to the Department of Consumer Affairs. The garage under the building, on Broadway and West 78th Street, has been closed for months because of structural problems, but residents continue to pay garage fees. Attendants still park cars, but in the streets. Council Member Gale Brewer's office sent a letter to the department on Sept. 10 informing them of the problem after it received numerous complaints from residents. According to the letter, attendants "sit outside the garage on folding chairs" and "often have multiple cars parked illegally in front of the garage." The department replied a month later on Oct. 28, saying it had issued violations against the valet parking. A hearing on the violation was held on Oct. 21, but the problem persists, according to Brewer's office. The department did not respond to requests for comment. Jon Herbitter, president of Mann Realty, which owns half of Apthorp, said the building was working to fix the garage. "The garage was closed," said Herbitter. "There are plans to rectify those conditions."