7/29/2019 Letter to Mayoral Candidates from UES Elected Officials

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January 22, 2013Dear Candidates for Mayor:

As you may be aware, Mayor Bloomberg proposed and the City Councilapproved a Solid Waste Management Plan for the City in 2006. The plan includesbuilding a Marine Transfer Station (MTS) at East 91st Street in Manhattan, which will belocated directly on top of Asphalt Green, a recreational facility used by 11,000 adults and

31,000 children every year.

The cost of building the MTS has grown exponentially initially put forward bythe City at $55 million and is now estimated at over $200 million. The nextadministration will have to pay for its construction as well as its operation. There is anopportunity to revise the Solid Waste Management Plan so that the City does not have tofund this unnecessary project.

In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the calculus around waterfrontdevelopment has changed. Locating the MTS in Flood Zone A is extremely dangerousand will bring significant risks that will have to be addressed by the next mayor. During

the hurricane, water rose well above sea level. Both Asphalt Greens playground and thesite of the MTS were flooded with water from the East River, which traveled as far westas Second Avenue. During a future storm, the MTS would put thousands of tons ofgarbage on a path flowing through the East Side of Manhattan. In this austere fiscalenvironment and with storms like Sandy becoming far more frequent as a leadingcontender for mayor, you will hopefully agree that the time to reexamine projects such asthe MTS is now.

Asphalt Green is one of our community's most valuable resources, providing oneof the few remaining recreational open spaces for children. The health and safety of thechildren and adults who use Asphalt Green and DeKovats Playground, which wasspecifically designed for children under age five, are threatened by the City's plans. Thisis due to the safety and atmospheric health risks of 200 trucks per day driving up to and idling immediately next to childrens play areas. Preserving our childrens healthmust be a priority of all elected officials and especially our next Mayor.

7/29/2019 Letter to Mayoral Candidates from UES Elected Officials

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We invite you to join us on a tour of Asphalt Green so you can see the impact

of building the MTS firsthand.

Thank you for taking the time to consider our request. In light of the fiscal andenvironmental implications of building a waste transfer station at East 91st Street, you

have the opportunity to help protect New York Citys children. If you are able to join uson a tour of Asphalt Green, please call Assembly Member Kellners office at (212) 860-4906.

Sincerely,

Micah Z. Kellner Jessica LappinMember of the Assembly Council Member

Carolyn B. Maloney Liz KruegerMember of Congress State Senator

Dan Quart Daniel R. GarodnickMember of the Assembly Council Member