The tenants’ case is just the latest in a series of mismanagement allegations surrounding the complex. In 1983, the city’s Department of Investigation released a report suggesting the Plaza’s developers were misallocating rent money, but could not turn their allegations into prosecutions or arrests. Principals of Linden Realty, who owned Noble Drew Ali Plaza from 1989 to 1996, were indicted in 1998 for stealing federal money earmarked for the complex and spending it on everything from home mortgages to political contributions. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development has been waiting for litigation to end to take Farrakhan himself to task for failing to account for approximately $1.6 million in up-front rehabilitation funds for the Plaza he received with the deed of transfer in 1996.
Albion Liburd, who replaced Farrakhan in June as executive director of Noble Drew Ali’s not-for-profit owner, Oceanhill Brownsville Tenants Association, said the allegations against Farrakhan were exaggerated. “If he’d have done everything that they’ve said, I’m sure HPD would have put him in jail by now,” Liburd said. But he added, “I’m not saying that Oceanhill or Farrakhan did a wonderful job.”
Farrakhan could not be reached for comment.
After years of disappointment and months of negotiations, Noble Drew Ali Plaza may finally break free of its dark past. “Everybody’s just anxious,” said Forbes. “Are we really going to have regular heat, regular hot water?” Every day the deal remains unclosed is another day the Plaza, managed now by court-appointed Wavecrest Management on a shoestring budget, goes without funding for much-needed security and major repairs. “You’re praying, everybody’s just praying,” she said. “We really can’t wait.”
