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SoHo Residents Sue DOT Over Citi Bike Station in Petrosino Square

By Gustavo Solis on June 19, 2013 12:04pm | Updated on June 19, 2013 4:35pm

 

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Citi Bike Lawsuit in Petrosino Square

SOHO — Irate SoHo residents are suing the city and the Department of Transportation for refusing to move a Citi Bike station from Petrosino Square.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday morning in state Supreme Court, came after local residents, community groups and elected officials objected to the bike station in the park at Spring and Lafayette streets, saying the space should be used for public art, as it has been in the past.

A crowd of about 30 people gathered in Petrosino Square to announce the lawsuit Wednesday morning, chanting, "Move the bikes!"

“The days of asking nicely are done,” said Jim Walden, a partner at Gibson Dunn, who represents the residents. “The law is clear — you cannot eliminate a public park for a commuter program, no matter how worthy the commuter program.”

Walden described the lawsuit — filed by groups including the Friends of Petrosino Square, Sons of Italy in America, SoHo Alliance, Chinatown Civic Association and NoHo Neighborhood Association — as "a slam-dunk case."

The city's Law Department released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying, "It is unfortunate that these groups are resorting to litigation, but we are confident this location is completely proper and will withstand a court challenge. DOT has also been working with elected officials on this issue."

The DOT previously defended the Petrosino Square location, saying it "resulted from the community-planning process last year."