Some Local Lawmakers: Building UES Garbage Center Makes No Sense

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Citing the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy, opponents of a planned Marine Transfer Station at East 91st Street have filed a federal lawsuit to block construction of the garbage dump.

"We're here only a few blocks away from the South Street Seaport, which was destroyed with Lower Manhattan, Battery Park City, where buildings...we don't know when people will be able to get back to them. Clearly, every level of government needs to re-evaluate when it is putting facilities along our waterfronts," State Senator Liz Krueger stressed during a news conference at City Hall.

1010 WINS' Stan Brooks Reports

A community group, Residents for Sane Trash Solutions, has filed a complaint against the city and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The complaint alleges the Army Corps failed to protect the public's interest when it issued a permit for the Upper East Side transfer station's construction.

Opponents, including some lawmakers who are plaintiffs in a lawsuit, insist it makes no sense to build the station in the middle of a Zone A flood zone.

"We believe we have a strong lawsuit. Extreme weather with Sandy is the new reality that we have," said Assemblyman Micah Kellner.

"The city needs to take a step back and to re-think this project," Councilman Jessica Lappin said. "I feel very strongly this MTS should not be built on this site. It's why I'm a plaintive in this suit and we hope that we will prevail in the courts."

Share your thoughts in the comments section below...