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Mayor Bloomberg dismisses Christine Quinn’s plans for NYC storm barriers

Superstorm Sandy prompts ambitious plan from Quinn

KERRY O’SHEA,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Thursday, November 15, 2012, 7:46 AM

Updated Thursday, November 15, 2012, 7:46 AM

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Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn

Photo by AP File Photo/Mike Groll

In the wake of devastation from Superstorm Sandy, New York City council speaker Christine Quinn proposed an ambitious new plan to protect New Yorkers from future storms. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, however, was quick to shut the plan down.

The Daily News reports on the plan that Quinn outlined on Tuesday while speaking before the Association for a Better New York. The $20 billion plan, which Quinn wants to see feds fund, calls for the relocating of power lines underground, storm barriers, and more emergency provisions.

The quick dismissal may have come as a shock to Quinn as Mayor Bloomberg has always been a loud supporter of Quinn and her potential mayoral candidacy.

Just hours after Quinn presenting her ideas, Mayor Bloomberg said, “I don't know where the money would come from.”

“It would take billions and billions of dollars,” Bloomberg continued. “Before the federal government would get involved, you’d be doing it from the Florida Keys to the northern edge of Maine ... People just can't do that.”

Quinn was quick to respond to Bloomberg’s dismissal by saying, “The federal government appreciates the needs of localities when they are hit by storms. And I believe that the federal government and President Obama understand the unique significance of New York City as the financial capital of the world.”

As part of the plan, Quinn wanted to see emergency phone networks, generators at gas stations, and stricter rules for waterproofing boilers and electrical equipment.

Quinn also announced plans to pursue legislation forcing Con Ed to bury power lines in the parts of Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island that currently have overhead wires. Con Ed said they would consider the proposals, but insisted that no plan is completely weatherproof.

Nster.com

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EphraimKibbey | Nov 16, 2012, 05:03 PM EST

Quinn is right and Bloomberg is wrong. It makes common sense to spend the money ONCE to prevent future devastation to the MANHATTAN business district (and SAVE LIVES) as opposed to spending it REPEATEDLY every time one of these "once in a century" storms hits each year. Where beach front HOMES have been destroyed, the property should be bought through eminent domain and parks established as a buffer zone. In Charleston, SC after a terrible hurricane, they bulldozed the rubble out into the bay, created Battery Park with its sea wall and built new homes on the safer portions. Areas around NYC where homes were not destroyed this time but where there was flooding should have sea walls built tall enough to withstand a Cat. 4 Hurricane's storm surge at high tide. The posters here who propose the common sense prohibition against rebuilding in devastated coastal communities are absolutely correct. If money is going to be spent (and it will be spent) then American taxpayers should get a new, improved and SAFER city for that money not the same old same old! Bloomberg should not be allowed to stand in the way of progress.

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Joe Kelsall | Nov 15, 2012, 04:38 PM EST

Perhaps Bloomberg coulds show us how his brethren divided the Red Sea?

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Murph46 | Nov 15, 2012, 04:23 PM EST

Amen PhlutiePhan,I want no part of NY!

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PiperMac52 | Nov 15, 2012, 04:22 PM EST

Bloomberg is an idiot. Pundits have agreed that had those storm barriers been in place the flooding and damage would have been negligible. It is expensive but a necessary expenditure that will benefit all residents.

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Murph46 | Nov 15, 2012, 10:51 AM EST

Bloomberg was quoted as saying "We can collect the water with those 28 ounce cups that I banned for making people fat"

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pilib04 | Nov 15, 2012, 10:26 AM EST

I'll be more succinct than Sean, federal money should NOT be used to maintain habitation in inhabitable areas. Everyone knew the danger of flooding in lower Manhattan, the Atlantic Coast (NY and NJ) and Staten Island. No federal money should go to rebuilding these unsafe areas. Global Warming is real folks and we cannot afford to keep rebuilding in areas that will continue to be ravaged. I would rather see my tax dollars going to resettlement of those living in the dangerous areas! Two storms in a year and it is only going to get worse! The ocean sea level is RISING! By the way, I support Christine Quinn for Mayor, but feel she is off the mark on this one.

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Seanmor | Nov 15, 2012, 09:54 AM EST

Christine has a very good idea, but where is the money to fund such a worthy project?

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