The city has taken a major step forward with its plan to close Rikers Island by tapping construction firms Tutor Perini and O & G Industries to build the final lockup in lower Manhattan. The new 1,040-bed jail will be constructed on White Street in Chinatown and is one of the last pieces of the puzzle in the city’s efforts to replace the aging prison with modern facilities.
The project has faced opposition from some neighborhood activists, who claim that the construction noise and disruption are unbearable and that the new jails will unduly burden their community. However, the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) says it has taken steps to minimize the impact on residents and businesses in the area, including using mufflers on construction equipment and installing noise-absorbing materials.
The cost of the project has increased significantly since initial estimates, with the final bill now expected to be at least $15 billion. The city is also struggling to meet a 2027 deadline for completion of the Rikers Island lockups, with some facilities not scheduled for completion until 2031.
Despite the challenges, advocates for the closure of Rikers say that it’s essential to move forward with the plan. “If we want safer communities, we can’t achieve that by sending people to fight for their lives on an out-of-site, out-of-mind penal colony,” said Darren Mack, co-director of Freedom Agenda.
The city has announced plans for three new jails in Queens and The Bronx, which are expected to be completed by 2029, 2031, and 2032, respectively. However, the Manhattan lockup is still without a completion date.
As construction continues, concerns remain about the impact on local residents and businesses. The city’s efforts to minimize disruptions have been underway for months, but some activists are skeptical of the progress made so far.
Source: https://www.thecity.nyc/2024/11/19/rikers-plan-progress-construction-firms-manhattan-jail