sad kennedy house thinks they are like the pinnaccle. Those apartments are small and they all need renovations......cant compare they have to wake up and smell the cafe "''''''' too pricey...........they charge a fuel charge and capital assessment...over three hundred.....so for a one bedroom you pay about $ 1200 a month.............

I am considering to buy a J4 appartment at Kennedy house. I got the price, maintenace fee, parking, etc but have no idea how often/how fast the maintenace fee increace.

Yes-the board was nuts but its the old board, things are more sane. Still tough requirements but really, wouldnt you wanna be ina fiscally sound coop rather than one with lawsuits against shareholders in default like the Girard Towers?

The building just finished renovations which are all paid for. The kids playroom is finished and full of little tykes -its amazing for kids!

The pool is amazong as is the plans for the new gym.

Yes, I just bought in kenendy 9 months ago and we absolutley love it. Pricy? A little but worth it as I get more services than comepting buildings>

Yes-the board was nuts but its the old board, things are more sane. Still tough requirements but really, wouldnt you wanna be ina fiscally sound coop rather than one with lawsuits against shareholders in default like the Girard Towers?

The building just finished renovations which are all paid for. The kids playroom is finished and full of little tykes -its amazing for kids!

The pool is amazong as is the plans for the new gym.

Yes, I just bought in kenendy 9 months ago and we absolutley love it. Pricy? A little but worth it as I get more services than comepting buildings>

Anonymous wrote:

Len Lombard is one of the shadiest people I have ever come across. I rented an apartment that he owned. He held himself out as just the realtor when he showed me the place. When I signed the lease, turned over my security and paid the broker's fee I found out he is also the owner. I just think that's shady, taking a broker's fee while renting out your own apartment. When I was moving out, him and Rhona wanted to show the place while I was still living there. I didn't have a problem with that, just give me notice. But they wanted to be bringing people in when I wasn't home and wanted copies of my keys. That's sooooo not going to happen. He gave me such a hard time about that, but I didn't give in. Hell, I was under no obligation to let them show it while I was still living there.

I am very concerned when uninformed and misinformed people take action before becoming informed! Recently, at Station Square, Rhona reached out to shareholders suggesting they consider serving on the board to protect their home/investment.
She spoke from knowledge and from her heart. An annual meeting was called. A couple named Martin & Katherine Liepe Levinson, spent more than a month campaigning against Len Lombard and Rhona Magelowitz. Character bashing, lies, and more lies were being spread by this couple on a daily basis, verbally and in writing. They purposefully misinformed shareholders in order to get their support in order to keep 3 board members in place and control the votes thereby control the new board. They succeeded. Obviously, the folks who did this do not care about this old building. They just want to sell their units and get out. They feel no amount of money can cure the massive violations, the leaks, the unsafe conditions and all the problems with the roof tiles. Rhona Magelowitz, certified property manager, was ordered by the Dept of Buildings to erect scaffolding and sheds to safeguard the square. She did that. Some people did not like that. Some people feel the scaffold has been there too long. Enormous research has gone into making these difficult repairs with talented and well educated architects and engineers. A good plan was in place. Len Lombard had suggested for many years that the board should consider voting to increase the maintenance each and every year. He suggested 10% increases every year for 7 years, in the minutes. Each and every year the board members voted against this and against doing emergency repairs for lack of funds. Continuous neglect. Suddenly, they fire Rhona, and want to get rid of Len and Rhona. If they care about the coop and the building, wouldn't they ask questions and be sure that Rhona shared with them all that was going on? How can they proceed to better the building when they are so misinformed? They think this is some sort of game. Martin, Greg and Sally were told by the architect that the tear drop/horse shoe shaped windows are causing damage to the interior walls of two apartments in which they are located, as well as to those below. For many years, Len Lombard repaired the interior of his two apartments up in the Tower. He paid painters for years to come and cure the mold, paint, sheet rock, many methods were tried from the inside because until the scaffold was erected, there was no access to do these emergency repairs. Finally, when we could do it, Martin Levinson stopped it. Why? Because he hates Len, he is jealous of Len. Is this the way a member of a board should behave? I don't think so. Levinson paid to put new windows in his apartment. So, he wanted Len to pay for the repair of those windows. WRONG!! Those windows don't open, those windows need to be properly restored from the outside, from the scaffold, and the coop needs to pay for it. Levinsons hatred for Len permeates his every decision, he is retaliatory, negligent, misinformed and getting this coop more and more in deep trouble. At this point, because of Levinson and Borges, a professional Receiver may have to be appointed. These new folks are listening to some of the old folks who have only their personal agendas secretly on the table. The truth will rise to the top. They mad terrible mistakes by firing the person who could have helped them.

Len Lombard and Rhona Magelowitz is no longer in control of the Forest Hills Inn. There is a new management company and a new board. Len is no longer on the board. The new board is made up of young talented professionals with diverse specialities. They are in the process of turning the Forest Hills Inn around. I am so glad. The scaffolding should come off by the end of summer 09. Without Len and Rhona the building is now rekindling this relationships with the community, once burned down by those crooks. The entire community have alot to look forward to! Peace, love for the neighborhood & harmony!

Everyone - please do not deal with this character. He is either a nuisance or out to rob someone. STAY AWAY! His pitbull Rhona Magelowitz is even worse.

Anonymous wrote:

Yes-the board was nuts but its the old board, things are more sane. Still tough requirements but really, wouldnt you wanna be ina fiscally sound coop rather than one with lawsuits against shareholders in default like the Girard Towers?

The building just finished renovations which are all paid for. The kids playroom is finished and full of little tykes -its amazing for kids!

The pool is amazong as is the plans for the new gym.

Yes, I just bought in kenendy 9 months ago and we absolutley love it. Pricy? A little but worth it as I get more services than comepting buildings>

I live in the Kennedy House for a few years now and I still remember taking a whole lot of copy paper (killing a few trees) to make those 1 1/2 inch binders for the board. And it's a bit nerve racking if the co-op board will like you or not. For those who complain about the Kennedy House; it isn't for everyone. The Gardens isn't for everyone either. The co-ops in the gardens are pretty small and obviously much older. But some people really want to live there because it's the Gardens. There's that certain prestige to be on the other side of the tracks. It is expensive but so is living anywhere in Manhattan or in parts of Brooklyn, like Park Slope these days or the new buildings in LIC (holy cow). But I have to admit I'm happy living in the Kennedy House.

The kids playroom renovations did turn out nice and the front renovations is pretty much complete. Sure it took a long time but every visitor I have in my apartment, there have been nothing but compliments. It's great to be home. Things are taken care of.

I guess for those who are considering the Kennedy House - Be very financially sound and make sure there's nothing missing that can make anyone question your finances. I have friends who bought condo and co-op apts and they have no savings left. Make sure you have more than enough reserves because God forbid if you lose a job and can't make the maintenance in KH... If you have the attitude that I can buy a condo with that money, well no one is stopping you to check out the few condos or the oher co-ops in the neighborhood or elsewhere. Obviously the board wants neighbors that is going to enhance the building too. They want the best. I think they also know that I love Forest Hills and everything the neighborhood has to offer.That helps alot.

Anyway, good luck.

Hi - I'm looking to purchase a 1 BR coop in the Kennedy House. My estimated monthly maintenance fee is $1045 right now, but I'm assuming that includes the extra Special Assessment and Fuel Surcharge and was told that these extra payments would end in March.

Can someone please confirm whether that is true? Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:

Hi - I'm looking to purchase a 1 BR coop in the Kennedy House. My estimated monthly maintenance fee is $1045 right now, but I'm assuming that includes the extra Special Assessment and Fuel Surcharge and was told that these extra payments would end in March.

Can someone please confirm whether that is true? Thanks!

The extra special assessment will end this March 2009 but in Dec. 2008 the maintenance was raised - it's basically a wash. The Fuel surcharge is now part of the maintenance so it's not a separate line item anymore. So your estimate sounds about right. Without the garage monthly cost, my maintenance is right under $1000 but I think it's because I live on a lower floor.
Your real estate agent should also know this information. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Thanks so much for your response. Yes, that is what the agent told me, but I just like to double check with an outside source.

Do you know if that kind of increase (which seems like 20%) is typical in the Kennedy House, or has the maintenance fee been relatively stable in recent years?

Thanks again!

How long does it take to get to the subway from Kennedy house? Thanks!

It's only 2 1/2 blocks away so, probably around 5 min at a moderate walking speed.

Anonymous as well... I have to agree with you on Len Lombard- he has been self dealing units to himself for years and he should be under criminal investigation. If you owned a unit and tried selling it at a high price he and that troll sidekick who literlally lives under a bridge i.e. Rhona Magelowitz would step in and decline the buyer as not qualified or some other bogus reason only to have Len make an offer a month later (which was always lower)- he did this long enough to control as many shares in the co-op as possible and I am glad to see both those idiots gone. Such horrible, evil, discriminatory liars.

[quote="Concerned Party"][quote="Anonymous"]Len Lombard is one of the shadiest people I have ever come across. I rented an apartment that he owned. He held himself out as just the realtor when he showed me the place. When I signed the lease, turned over my security and paid the broker's fee I found out he is also the owner. I just think that's shady, taking a broker's fee while renting out your own apartment. When I was moving out, him and Rhona wanted to show the place while I was still living there. I didn't have a problem with that, just give me notice. But they wanted to be bringing people in when I wasn't home and wanted copies of my keys. That's sooooo not going to happen. He gave me such a hard time about that, but I didn't give in. Hell, I was under no obligation to let them show it while I was still living there.[/quote][b]

I am very concerned when uninformed and misinformed people take action before becoming informed! Recently, at Station Square, Rhona reached out to shareholders suggesting they consider serving on the board to protect their home/investment.
She spoke from knowledge and from her heart. An annual meeting was called. A couple named Martin & Katherine Liepe Levinson, spent more than a month campaigning against Len Lombard and Rhona Magelowitz. Character bashing, lies, and more lies were being spread by this couple on a daily basis, verbally and in writing. They purposefully misinformed shareholders in order to get their support in order to keep 3 board members in place and control the votes thereby control the new board. They succeeded. Obviously, the folks who did this do not care about this old building. They just want to sell their units and get out. They feel no amount of money can cure the massive violations, the leaks, the unsafe conditions and all the problems with the roof tiles. Rhona Magelowitz, certified property manager, was ordered by the Dept of Buildings to erect scaffolding and sheds to safeguard the square. She did that. Some people did not like that. Some people feel the scaffold has been there too long. Enormous research has gone into making these difficult repairs with talented and well educated architects and engineers. A good plan was in place. Len Lombard had suggested for many years that the board should consider voting to increase the maintenance each and every year. He suggested 10% increases every year for 7 years, in the minutes. Each and every year the board members voted against this and against doing emergency repairs for lack of funds. Continuous neglect. Suddenly, they fire Rhona, and want to get rid of Len and Rhona. If they care about the coop and the building, wouldn't they ask questions and be sure that Rhona shared with them all that was going on? How can they proceed to better the building when they are so misinformed? They think this is some sort of game. Martin, Greg and Sally were told by the architect that the tear drop/horse shoe shaped windows are causing damage to the interior walls of two apartments in which they are located, as well as to those below. For many years, Len Lombard repaired the interior of his two apartments up in the Tower. He paid painters for years to come and cure the mold, paint, sheet rock, many methods were tried from the inside because until the scaffold was erected, there was no access to do these emergency repairs. Finally, when we could do it, Martin Levinson stopped it. Why? Because he hates Len, he is jealous of Len. Is this the way a member of a board should behave? I don't think so. Levinson paid to put new windows in his apartment. So, he wanted Len to pay for the repair of those windows. WRONG!! Those windows don't open, those windows need to be properly restored from the outside, from the scaffold, and the coop needs to pay for it. Levinsons hatred for Len permeates his every decision, he is retaliatory, negligent, misinformed and getting this coop more and more in deep trouble. At this point, because of Levinson and Borges, a professional Receiver may have to be appointed. These new folks are listening to some of the old folks who have only their personal agendas secretly on the table. The truth will rise to the top. They mad terrible mistakes by firing the person who could have helped them. [/b][/quote]

Whoever wrote the posting at the bottom of this... the one that starts with "I am very concerned when uninformed and misinformed..." is either insane or Rhona & Len (which means insane either way). It speaks of how good Rhona and Len were for the INN at Station Square and the author seems to have intimate knowledge of boardroom discussion....hmmmm... I wonder who it could be...boy this is a tough one... I give up. Rhona we know its you so stop posting positive things about yourself - you did a huge diservice to this community and the sooner you acknowledge it the faster you can eat another pastrami sandwich and comb Lens receding silver locks. Move on with your life. Why does everyone hate you two? Why does no one other than the 2 of you have anything nice to say about working with you? It speaks volumes folks and I am glad to see you both gone. Good riddance.

guest wrote:

Len Lombard and Rhona Magelowitz is no longer in control of the Forest Hills Inn. There is a new management company and a new board. Len is no longer on the board. The new board is made up of young talented professionals with diverse specialities. They are in the process of turning the Forest Hills Inn around. I am so glad. The scaffolding should come off by the end of summer 09. Without Len and Rhona the building is now rekindling this relationships with the community, once burned down by those crooks. The entire community have alot to look forward to! Peace, love for the neighborhood & harmony!