Tuckahoe Parents Protest Over Chemical Concerns At Planned Marriott Site
TUCKAHOE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- It's been a chorus of 'just say no' in a Westchester County town where residents are protesting plans to build a new Marriott.
As CBS2's Jessica Layton reported, what could be underneath the hotel has led to sleepless nights.
"It's such an extreme hazardous threat to our community," Rachel Zolottev said.
Tuckahoe residents have been marching with signs and carrying anxiety about a brand new hotel going up on what they say could be volatile ground.
"We are horrified of what's going to happen when they open it up," Zolottev said.
Zolottev organized the protest against plans to build a Marriott hotel and restaurant on an old marble quarry at Marbledale Road. It's been used as a dumping site for decades, and the unknown of what's underground is enough to keep parents like Kate Weiss up at night.
"We know there's poison, we know there's toxicity. We know there's chemicals, but we don't know how much is there," she said.
They're demanding more extensive tests be done before digging begins.
During a community meeting Wednesday night, the project developers tried to reassure people they are doing more tests.
The mayor -- who lives on Marbledale Road -- said everything has been done above board.
"This project has been very thoroughly scrutinized by the DEC and Department of Health," Mayor Steven Ecklond said.
That promise didn't satisfy parents who worry that their children's health is at stake.
The school for kindergartners and first graders is just up the hill from the old dump site. The Eastchester School Board is putting together an emergency evacuation plan for the kids during the project just in case.
School board members plan to talk about the plan at a meeting on Tuesday night.