Lady Gaga's Dad Boycotts Rent At Grand Central Resto: Report

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — A restaurant owner who operates in Grand Central Terminal is boycotting rent payments for his business, citing damage to his business caused by the homeless presence in the station, according to reports.

Joe Germanotta — owner of Art Bird and Whiskey Bar and father of pop star Lady Gaga — owes $260,000 in rent to the MTA but is refusing to pay, the Wall Street Journal first reported. Art Bird and Whiskey Bar's lease in the station lasts through 2028 and the rent is about $50,000 per month, according to the report.

The MTA recently wrote Germanotta a letter demanding payment and threatening repossession of the space, the Wall Street Journal reported. Germanotta wants to come to an agreement with the transit agency to either release him from the lease or reduce the cost of rent, he told the Journal.

At this week's MTA board meeting Germanotta proposed the idea of creating a dedicated section of Grand Central for homeless people who seek out shelter in the station. The area would be created by repurposing the terminal's sidecar seating area, which is located right next to Grand Central's MTA police office. Germanotta also said he and other restaurants in the terminal would be willing to donate food.

MTA police officials were dubious of the plan, likening it to forced segregation.

Read the full Wall Street Journal article here.