Judge Rules Against Lawmakers Seeking to Stop New York Firehouse Shutdowns
Source Courtesy of NY Post
May 23, 2003 -- A legal effort to save six firehouses from closing went down in flames yesterday when a Brooklyn Supreme Court judge ruled against lawmakers seeking to stop the shutdowns.
More than a dozen lawmakers, including Councilman Bill de Blasio (D-Brooklyn) and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, sued the city and the Fire Department, saying they failed to give proper notice of the closings to city officials and didn't conduct an environmental-impact review.
But Justice James Starkey denied a preliminary injunction to bar the closings, saying the lawmakers' case wasn't strong enough.
Still, Starkey questioned how notice was given for the closing of Engine Co. 261 in Long Island City, Queens, and strongly recommended that house stay open at least until a hearing Wednesday.
Starkey asked for more data on whether Manhattan Community Board No. 8, which covers Roosevelt Island, was entitled to notice because Engine 261 responds to Roosevelt Island.
The city has not decided whether to close the house Sunday or await Starkey's ruling, said an FDNY spokesman.
The houses to close at 9 a.m. Sunday include four Brooklyn companies - Engine 212 in Greenpoint; Engine 278 in Sunset Park, Engine 204 in Cobble Hill and Engine 209 in Williamsburg; a Queens house, and Engine 36 in East Harlem.
