New York City Council speaker opposes plan to raze hospital buildings

New York City Council speaker Christine C. Quinn said that she opposes the demolition of hospital buildings that is part of a development proposal for St. Vincent's Hospital Manhattan. Quinn said that although she sees the need for a new state-of-the-art hospital, the application to demolish the eight buildings would have an "unfortunate" impact on the neighborhood. Some neighborhood residents agree, saying the large residential and hospital towers that are also part of the plan would blight the area.