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Civic Group Sues To Halt Planned Hudson River Park

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — A civic group has filed a lawsuit against a proposed park dubbed "Billionaire's Island" that would jut out over the Hudson River.

The City Club of New York asked the court Thursday to halt construction of the 2.4 acre park until it undergoes a new environmental review and is approved by the state Legislature.

Civic Group Sues To Halt Planned Hudson River Park

It sued the Hudson River Trust and an entity of media mogul Barry Diller. The billionaire has pledged $113 million through a family foundation for the $130 million project.

It's a spot where kayaker's paddle and where history should be celebrated, Hudson River Park Alliance Tom Fox told WCBS 880's Irene Cornell.

"It's a historic pier. That's where the Lusitania left on her ill fated Atlantic voyage," Fox said. "And it's also where the Carpathia brought Titanic survivors. She was supposed to dock there as well."

The New York Times says the group claims the trust relied on an older analysis instead of performing a required environmental review.

The trust said in a statement it's confident its environmental review is legal and it believes the park will be "an incredible amenity" for the public.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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