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

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.

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

Amen PhlutiePhan,I want no part of NY!

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.

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

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.

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