New York ( CNN ) -- Lower Manhattan 's controversial Park51 Islamic center is now in a court battle with utility Consolidated Edison , which says the center owes it $ 1.7 million in a dispute over back rent . In court papers , Park51 says it owes Con Edison only $ 881,000 and calls the utility 's demand `` grossly inflated . '' The center has filed suit against the company over a default notice it was issued in September , and a New York state judge has stayed any action until after a hearing in November . In a statement to CNN on Sunday , Con Edison said it `` remains hopeful '' that it can work out an agreement with Park51 , which leases part of its property from the utility . Park51 's developers did not return a phone call seeking comment . The center , which includes a mosque , drew intense opposition in 2010 from politicians , conservative activists and some families of the victims of the al Qaeda attack on the World Trade Center . The twin towers stood about two blocks from the site before they were destroyed by the suicide hijackings on September 11 , 2001 , leading critics to dub the project the `` Ground Zero Mosque . '' The interfaith center 's leaders said the project will be a 16-story community center with recreational , educational and cultural programming rooted in a spirit of cooperation and coexistence . City officials refused to block its construction , and Park51 held its grand opening in September . According to court documents , Park51 has exercised an option to purchase the Con Edison portion of the site for $ 10.7 million . The center says it has been paying $ 2,750 a month -- minuscule by New York standards -- under its initial lease . The rent was to be recalculated based on the market value of the property after it renewed the lease in 2008 , but disputes over the appraisal lasted until this August . In September , Con Edison demanded the $ 1.7 million it said it was owed . `` The lease for the property calls for the tenant to pay this money now that an appraisal process has been completed , '' the utility told CNN . `` Under the terms of the lease , Con Edison requested payment of outstanding rent , but to date , tenant has not yet made the required payment . '' But lawyers for Park51 argue the demand is based on `` a fundamental misreading '' of its lease and have accused Con Edison of improperly trying to take back the property . `` Whether it is bowing to political pressure or seeking to retain the valuable premises for itself , Con Ed appears intent upon proceeding with its wrongful termination ( and cancellation of plaintiff 's right to purchase the premises ) and it has expressly threatened to do so , '' they wrote . Con Edison said Sunday it has defended Park51 's right to buy the land . CNN 's Chris Boyette contributed to this report .
The Park51 center is currently in a dispute with Con Edison . The city says Park51 pays back rent . The utility says the demand is ` ` grossly excessive '' Park51 's plan drew intense criticism in 2010 .