Business owners along Manhattan's Upper East Side held a rally Sunday where they called on the city and Metropolitan Transportation Authority to help save their businesses from revenue loss -- something they say is a direct result of construction on the Second Avenue subway line.

Business owners say that since construction began over three years ago, 31 stores have closed and revenues for the remaining shops are down 25 to 50 percent.

"We can't get a delivery, the trucks can't go through. It's a disgrace to leave this kind of mess," said one Second Avenue business owner.

As construction continues, the Second Avenue Business Association wants city and state legislation passed so they can recover lost revenue.

The businesses also want a real estate abatement law and a sales tax free zone for the area.

"It's been three and a half years of the construction pretty much destroying our neighborhood, destroying our way of life doing business and destroying the quality of life for people living here and we've basically had enough, it's just too hard,' said Nina's Pizzeria Owner Marcelo Ronchini.

"Some of these businesses have put all their life savings into the mom and pop stores. So what we want is for legislation to provide for financial assistance for the businesses on Second Avenue. If that doesn't happen we'll have to give serious consideration to going to court," said Civil Rights Attorney Norman Siegel.

The MTA says it has been working with businesses to improve sidewalks and signage, and muffle construction noise.

The improvements are expected to be completed by the end of December.

Regarding financial aid, the mayor's press office released a statement saying, in part, "While we cannot comment on specifics of the bill, this is a state project and although the City has been helping these businesses, we believe the state, not the city, should be providing aid."