Richard Gere has become the object of anger for many wealthy neighbors in upstate New York over an impending cell tower.
The 73-year-old actor, who directed his new movie Longing in October, is a co-owner of the Bedford Post Inn in Bedford, New York, an eight-room luxury inn that opened in 2019.
Gere has offered a piece of land on his 14-acre estate to install a 130-foot cellphone tower to fill coverage gaps, but many wealthy residents nearby — like Kate Mara and Rooney Mara’s parents and Jerry Seinfeld’s sister — are angry about the move, according to Page Six.
Anger: Richard Gere has made himself the object of the ire of many wealthy neighbors in upstate New York over an imminent cell tower
Verizon filed a lawsuit against the city of Bedford in July 2021 after it shot down two proposed cell tower sites that would fill gaps in cellphone service and emergency responder coverage as required by the Federal Telecommunications Act.
The lawsuit has now been dropped as Gere’s proposal to build the cellphone tower on the property where his inn sits is under review.
However, Carolyn Liebling – the sister of Jerry Seinfeld, who directs her brother’s career – and her husband Larry are seeking a “pre-proposal conference with a judge from the Southern District of New York” to prevent the tower.
Lawsuit: Verizon filed a lawsuit against the city of Bedford in July 2021 after it shot down two proposed cell tower sites that would fill gaps in cellphone service and emergency responder coverage, as required by the federal Telecommunications Act
‘[T]The decision you make will affect the lives of our family when you put the cell tower practically in our backyard,” Liebling and her husband Larry wrote in an email to the planning authority in December.
Carolyn and her husband have owned 30 acres near the hotel for 17 years and explain that their “sanctuary” is no place for a cell phone tower.
Others opposed to the Tower include Kathleen Rooney Mara, whose family owns the Pittsburgh Steelers, and husband Chris Mara, son of former New York Giants owner Wellington Mara and grandson of Giants founder Tim Mara.
Kate and Rooney: Kathleen and Chris have lived in Bedford for almost 40 years, where they raised their daughters, actresses Kate Mara and Rooney Mara
Kathleen and Chris have lived in Bedford for almost 40 years, where they raised their daughters, actresses Kate Mara and Rooney Mara.
“In winter I have a wonderful view. And I look forward to it every year. Now I’m looking at an ugly tower that will soon be obsolete if the site is approved,” Kathleen said in a November email to the planning committee.
She claims that “less intrusive” is the ideal way forward as the tower would likely be replaced with satellites.
Other celebs: Other celebs living in Bedford and other nearby towns include Martha Stewart, George Soros, Ralph Lauren, Matt Damon, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, although it’s unclear where they stand on this cell phone tower proposal
“I don’t understand why they want it there. Isn’t everyone like that? So not in my backyard or whatever, you know?’ Kathleen told the Post on Friday.
Other celebs living in Bedford and other nearby towns include Martha Stewart, George Soros, Ralph Lauren, Matt Damon, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, although it’s unclear where they stand on this cell phone tower proposal.
One of Gere’s own employees, chef Roxanne Spruance, owner of the Michelin-starred bistro called The Barn, claims Gere and his partner, real estate developer Russell Hernandez, may have agreed to the cellphone tower to end the litigation in exchange for it The Bedford Post Inn expansion is approved by City Superintendent Ellen Calves.
Employees: One of Gere’s own employees, chef Roxanne Spruance, owner of the Michelin-starred bistro called The Barn, claims Gere and his partner, real estate developer Russell Hernandez, may have agreed to the cellphone tower to end the legal exchange for the Bedford Post Inn expansion approved by Town Supervisor Ellen Calves
Spruance claimed at a December planning committee meeting that Gere and Hernandez received approval for the September expansion that would add 10 additional rooms, where king-deluxe suites could cost $1,075 a night on weekends.
“I just want to make it very clear that the restaurant and the hotel are very separate,” Spruance told the Bedford Planning Board.
“The actions of my landlords, who think this is a good idea with Ellen, are completely independent of my wishes [and] Desires as a business owner,” she added.
Approval: Spruance claimed at a December planning committee meeting that Gere and Hernandez received approval in September for the expansion that would add 10 additional rooms, where king-deluxe suites could cost $1,075 a night on weekends
Calves said Spruance’s allegation was “not based on reality or facts”.
“The inn owners are working to expand their operations and have had plans before various city authorities for several years, all of which have been met with enthusiastic support,” added Calves
Calves said that Gere and Hernandez “graciously offered” their location for the tower because they are “very caring for first responders.”
“It definitely caught our eye because they are working on their property, but in no way, shape or form has this idea been put forward asking for any sort of favor or preferential treatment. Their project was well underway and already on the way to approval,” emphasized Calves.
Offered: Calves said that Gere and Hernandez “generously offered” their site for the tower because they are “very caring about first responders.”
Another resident — 63-year-old Jim Hoffman, who lives down the street from the Bedford Post Inn — believes Spruance’s allegation.
He adds that the tower would cause “maximum adverse impacts” on both his ridgeline views and the value of his home, which he estimates at $2.5 million.
“It’s written right in our faces. Every time we look outside we are reminded somewhat of the distrust and corruption in our city,” he said, adding that he will never return to The Barn if the tower is approved, although he’s enjoying the food and love the atmosphere.
The Bedford Planning Board will consider the cell tower proposal further at a board meeting on Monday.
Discussion: Spruance claimed at a December planning committee meeting that Gere and Hernandez received approval in September for the expansion that would add 10 additional rooms where king deluxe suites could cost $1,075 a night on weekends