Bronxites Weigh In on Borough-Based Jail Plan as Early Site Work Begins
Community Feedback Shapes Design and Construction of Bronx Detention Center
Community members gathered on March 5 to provide feedback on the design and amenities of the forthcoming Bronx Detention Center, part of the city’s four-facility plan to replace Rikers Island. The planned facility, which will include 1,040 beds, is one of four borough-based jails set to open in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.
Early Site Work Underway, Concerns Over Construction Timeline
Early drilling work is already underway at the site, a former NYPD impound lot at East 141st Street and Bruckner Boulevard. However, concerns remain over the construction timeline, as city contracts indicate the Bronx borough-based jail may not be completed until 2031, raising concerns among elected officials and advocates.
Design Priorities Reflect Community Input
At the March 5 workshop, planners emphasized the importance of community input in shaping a secure facility that would also serve as a neighborhood asset. "We see the borough-based jail as transformational to the community," said lead architect Larry Gutterman. The design prioritizes community feedback, focusing on a welcoming exterior, public spaces, and interior areas that are non-institutional and useful to the community.
Design and Amenities
The facility will feature 1,040 beds, rooftop solar panels, 120 underground staff parking spaces, and 40,000 square feet of commercial or retail space. The lobby will be open to the public daily, offering seating, lockers, restrooms, charging stations, video displays, vending machines, and a children’s play area. Each housing unit will include an open-air recreation space, while day rooms will offer exercise areas, including a basketball court.
Enhancing Livability
To enhance livability, planners emphasized natural light throughout the facility and proposed incorporating local artwork to add color and foster a connection to the outside world. The streetscape will feature tree plantings, seating, bike racks, and improved lighting, with traffic-calming measures designed to enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility.
Community Feedback and Next Steps
In breakout groups, participants posed detailed questions about privacy, floor drains, tree pollen, and more. Most gave positive feedback on the design thus far. Some spoke from their experience knowing and visiting people at Rikers Island, and others expressed a desire to have the new jail built as quickly as possible. "People are dying now at Rikers," said one participant.
The designers plan to submit a concept design in April, subject to additional community feedback before finalizing it. They will continue to engage with neighboring communities as the work progresses.
Conclusion
The Bronx Detention Center is a critical step towards creating safer, more humane conditions for incarcerated individuals and bringing them closer to their home communities as the city moves towards closing Rikers Island. The community’s input will be crucial in shaping the design and construction of this facility, which will serve as a model for other borough-based jails.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When will the Bronx Detention Center be completed?
- The city contracts indicate the facility may not be completed until 2031.
- What is the purpose of the facility?
- The facility will house 1,040 beds and serve as a borough-based jail, replacing Rikers Island.
- What is the current status of the project?
- Early site work is underway, and the design team is seeking community feedback on the concept design.
- How can I stay updated on the project’s progress?
- Visit the Bronx Times website for updates, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @bronxtimes.
