Ark Restaurants, operators of the Bryant Park Grill for 30 years, are challenging the Bryant Park Corporation's decision to award their lease to celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The company filed a lawsuit highlighting alleged unfairness in the bidding process. CEO Michael Weinstein contends that BPC has transformed the park into a profit-driven enterprise, detracting from its public purpose. He believes that Bryant Park's management should prioritize community over corporate interests, questioning the legitimacy of the current lease arrangements.
In its complaint, Ark argues the court should uphold the group's "rights to a lawful and proper bidding process" and declare that "Bryant Park belongs to the people" and is not the "private property" of BPC.
CEO Michael Weinstein states that BPC president Dan Biederman has made Bryant Park a "fiefdom," generating substantial revenue that, he argues, favors business over public interest.
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