Ban Noisy Tourist Helicopters Downtown, Pols Say

May 16, 2011 11:31am

Politicians are calling on the city end tourist flights from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport.

By Julie Shapiro

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

FINANCIAL DISTRICT — Lower Manhattan could soon get a lot quieter.

Local politicians are calling for the city to ban all tourist helicopters from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, following several noise complaints from Manhattan and Brooklyn residents.

U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, State Sen. Daniel Squadron and others gathered Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn Bridge Park, which has a clear view of the busy heliport, to say residents are tired of the helicopters droning over their homes.

"It’s time to stop the never-ending parade of tourist flights from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport," Squadron said. "Chopper tours can't come at the expense of our neighborhoods' quality of life."

Ro Sheffe, chairman of Community Board 1's Financial District Committee, agreed.

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