Amtrak Hikes Rents For Backyard Spaces From $25 to $25K, Residents Say

By Jeanmarie Evelly | August 26, 2016 7:35am
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DITMARS — A group of Astoria homeowners whose side and backyards are located under the Hell Gate Bridge says Amtrak has dramatically raised their rents for the outdoor spaces, with one resident saying he’s seeing his jump from $25 to $25,560 a year and another reporting a hike of $50 to $45,000.

The homes are adjacent to the bridge's large concrete arch supports, and residents say their families have leased the land underneath the structures for decades for a nominal fee. In exchange, they were required to clean and maintain the spaces, they said.

But earlier this month, at least six of these property owners received letters from Amtrak notifying them of the enormous rent hikes and saying they have 30 days to accept the new leases or they'll have to give up the land that's served as their backyards for years.

"I was born in the house I live in 73 years ago — this was my grandparents' home," said Loretta Csikortos, who lives on 23rd Street between Ditmars Boulevard and 23rd Avenue, where her family has leased their side yard from Amtrak since 1946. ... She was told earlier this month that the rent for the space — where she keeps a large wooden deck and an aboveground swimming pool — is increasing from $50 to $45,000 a year.