McDonald's Confirms Interest in Columbia

Students and neighborhood residents may soon have another nearby option for fast food, as McDonald's representatives confirmed rumors that the restaurant chain is considering opening a new venue in the Morningside Heights.

McDonald's is "definitely looking at the site" of Tamarind Seed on Broadway between 114th and 115th Streets as a location to open a new restaurant, McDonald's Real Estate Representative Dean Rosenzweig confirmed last week.

Rosenzweig said McDonald's is currently in a "fact-finding stage for the area as a whole," meaning it is conducting market research surveys, determining site feasibility, and attempting to reach an agreement with the landlord.

Tala Loweihed, a partner in Tamarind Seed, which would either go out of business or need to relocate if McDonald's were to occupy the space, denied that his store was considering vacating its lease. "We're not selling," he said.

The McDonald's issue has caused a great deal of "dissension in the building," according to a resident who asked not to be identified. She said that many of those who own apartments in the co-op building are dissatisfied with what they perceive as the co-op board's lack of action to take steps to prevent McDonald's from moving in to the space.

Though its residents own the building itself, a separate landlord controls the commercial space. The co-op board is fearful it could be sued if they interfere with the negotiations.

"It does not seem like they're really fighting. They have lost the will to fight," one resident said. "They have to take them to the mat."

Fred Kooby, one of the building's landlords, did not return calls placed to him last week and yesterday afternoon.

The reason the board has not taken more action, according to the resident, is that "they are frightened of their own individual liability" if a deal between the landlord and McDonald's were to fall through.

The resident said that the board was "not sharing" enough information about the McDonald's with the building's residents, adding that the board may have become "too cozy" with McDonald's.

Another resident, who also asked not to be identified, said that the co-op board met with representatives from McDonald's on Oct. 10.

Many with apartments in the building not only fear additional noise and other irritations from McDonald's, which has 76 locations in Manhattan, but also are concerned that having McDonald's in their building would decrease their property values.

Rosenzweig, who said he "supposed" that McDonald's is looking at other sites in the area but was unable to identify those locations, disagreed with that interpretation. "I think communities are receptive," he said. "I think we're a great neighbor."

Previously, Rob Urba, another partner in Tamarind Seed, said that McDonald's had expressed interest in the space adjacent to his store that was vacated last fall by Rennell, a clothing store.

That area, however, was leased months ago to Cohen's Fashion Optical, which plans to open its store on Oct. 29, although Dany Colado, manager of one of Cohen's current Upper West Side locations, said that the opening may be pushed back a few weeks due to construction delays.

While Shaanan Meyerstein, CC '05, keeps kosher and therefore does not dine at McDonald's, he was still excited by the prospect of the Golden Arches going up down the street from his dorm. "I think a McDonald's here would be great," he said. "It's the kind of place students need more of here."

"It's very unhealthy," Meyerstein added. "But in this day and age, you've got to live in the moment and just enjoy the cheeseburger."

Tim Cavanaugh, CC '05, was also pleased at the prospect of McDonald's opening a franchise in Morningside Heights. "I like McDonald's, I would go there," he said. "It wouldn't do anything to improve the elegance of the neighborhood, but it would be convenient and has good food."