“What we are seeing with respect to safety concerns at the Central Warehouse and the temporary suspension of Amtrak service is a real world consequence of ongoing frivolous litigation carried out by the owner, the Phoenix of Albany LLC, which is solely owned by Evan Blum. For over a year now, Blum has repeatedly attempted to use the courts to disingenuously prevent the transfer of title to the Central Warehouse to Albany County and ultimately tied our hands in this regard. 

“This has only delayed any meaningful rehabilitation of the property structure, which has continued to decay since Blum acquired it in August of 2017. I commend Mayor Sheehan for taking swift action today in declaring a state of emergency to remedy this situation as quickly as possible. I will continue to work with the City and the State in any way we can to resolve the matter and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our residents.”