By Meredith Hoffman
DNAInfo Reporter/Producer
CHELSEA - City Council Speaker Christine Quinn requested legal action to prevent a contentious homeless shelter's imminent opening.
In letters this week to Mayor Bloomberg and the New York State Commissioner, she claimed the 328-bed Bowery Residents Committee shelter exceeded the local size limit.
"This proposal violates local law and simply does not work," she wrote. "I cannot and will not support it."
The BRC shelter has met fierce opposition over the past year from neighborhood groups like the Chelsea Flatiron Coaltion.
Quinn has spoken out against the shelter in the past as well, in letters to the BRC and to the Department of Homeless Services.
The 12-story facility at 127 W. 25th Street is expected to open for residents by July.
It has 200 beds for men with histories of mental illness, a reception center with 96 beds, and a substance abuse center with 32 beds.
Last week, BRC Executive Director Muzzy Rosenblatt gave tours to community members of the new space.
Rosenblatt declined comment regarding Speaker Quinn's letter.
