Executive Criticizes State for Removing Parkway Trees

     GREENWICH, Conn. (AP) _ The owner of the Empire State Building is taking Connecticut officials to task for removing trees along the historic Merritt Parkway.
     Peter Malkin is a Greenwich resident and chairman of the investment group that owns New York City's tallest building. He says work by the state Department of Transportation threatens the parkway's character.
     At issue is a $66.5 million federal stimulus project to make safety improvements and upgrade 13 bridges in Fairfield and Trumbull. Another DOT safety project includes clearing 300 trees in Stratford.
     DOT spokesman Kevin Nursick takes issue with Malkin's comments, saying the state has been working hard to balance aesthetics with safety.
     Malkin says preservationists will meet Wednesday in Norwalk with DOT Commissioner Joseph Marie.
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     Information from: Greenwich Time, http://www.greenwichtime.com

     (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
     APNT 11-17-09 1327EST<