The city is making progress on closing Rikers Island by selecting construction firms to build a new jail in Manhattan, a key step in the process. The plan involves creating borough-based jails to replace Rikers, with facilities in each borough except Staten Island. The announcement of the selected firms comes amidst ongoing challenges and controversies, including community opposition, concerns about costs, and issues related to noise and disruptions during construction. The overall plan has faced criticism and support, with advocates pushing for closure citing improved access to courts and better conditions for detainees. The timeline and costs for the project have increased, with estimated expenses rising from $8 billion to at least $15 billion. The completion dates for the new facilities vary by borough, with the Manhattan jail timeline still undetermined.
The City of New York is making significant progress in its plan to close Rikers Island by moving forward with the construction of a new 1,040 bed jail in lower Manhattan. The Adams administration recently selected Tutor Perini and O & G Industries as the construction firms for this project, marking one of the final major contracts needed for the closure of Rikers Island.
The Department of Design and Construction has outlined its plans to use these firms to build the new jail on White Street in Chinatown. While the collaboration between Tutor Perini and O & G Industries is still in the negotiation phase and awaiting final approval from various city departments, the construction is expected to begin in the coming months.
The new jail construction is part of the city’s larger initiative to close Rikers Island and replace it with borough-based jails. These new facilities will not only provide improved living conditions for detainees but also offer easier access for their loved ones to visit. Additionally, the new jails will be closer to courthouses, reducing the need for long and grueling transportation processes for inmates.
Despite some opposition from community members, particularly in Chinatown, the city is taking steps to minimize the impact of construction on residents and businesses in the area. Measures such as noise mitigation and careful debris removal are being implemented to address concerns raised by local activists.
As the city moves forward with the closure of Rikers Island, the need for additional jail space has become a pressing issue. The Board of Correction recently granted permission to increase the number of beds in housing units on Rikers Island, while new smaller lockups are being constructed to meet legal requirements for the closure of the facility by 2027.
The cost of the borough-based jails plan has increased from the initial estimate, with the total budget now projected to be at least $15 billion. Factors such as rising building material and labor costs have contributed to this budget increase. Construction firms have been selected for the Queens and Bronx jail locations, with additional facilities planned for Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Overall, the city’s efforts to close Rikers Island and replace it with modern, borough-based jails are moving forward, albeit with some challenges and opposition from certain community members. The new facilities aim to improve living conditions for detainees, enhance access to legal services, and facilitate visitations from family members.
Source: TheCity.NYC
