Free J-Lo Concert Near City Island Has Many Local Residents Seeing Red
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's being billed as Jennifer Lopez's first performance in the Bronx -- her hometown borough.
But next Wednesday's concert is more headache than homecoming for one community, where some are dreading the event, CBS 2's Scott Rapoport reported Friday.
Should "Jenny from the block" get kicked to the curb?
"I would prefer that this concert was not happening, yes," resident Ellen Murphy said.
That is the sentiment of many on quaint, idyllic City Island in the Bronx: population 4,500. Many of the locals said the down-lo on J-Lo's free June 4 concert will be a traffic nightmare.
"It shouldn't happen here if it's gonna create this kind of havoc," resident Tom Vivolo said.
They said more than 25,000 people are expected to descend on the area for the concert at nearby Orchard Beach, which is located just north of City Island on Long Island Sound. That many people converging could tax the Pelham drawbridge, which leads to both Orchard Beach and City Island.
City Island Civic Association said it's worried the road off of Interstate-95 heading to City Island Road will turn into a parking lot.
"I think it's stupid and whoever thought of it is stupid," one resident said.
"I have a husband in the hospital I have to get home from. I think I have a right to get home," another added.
Meanwhile, some businesses were taking a different view, saying Lopez could mean money in the bank, Rapoport reported.
"If people are able to get onto the island it would be wonderful and beneficial to all the businesses here," said Marianne White of City Island Ale House.
But others said, even if they do stand to benefit financially they will still pay a price.
The NYPD said it will dedicate a road solely to City Island residents trying to get to their community and provide police to direct traffic.
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