The City’s Ambitious Plan to Close Rikers Island Takes a Major Step Forward
The city’s ambitious plan to close Rikers Island took a major step forward after the Adams administration tapped two construction firms to build a new lockup in lower Manhattan. The city’s Department of Design and Construction intends to use Tutor Perini and O & G Industries to construct the new 1,040-bed jail on White Street in Chinatown.
Bigger Problems
The announcement of the selected firms comes as jail officials in conjunction with the city’s largest public defender organization have been ordered to create a plan for a possible court-appointed receiver to take over some, or all, of the Correction Department. The plan was ordered by Chief District Judge Laura Taylor Swain, in Manhattan federal court this September.
Work Being Done
On Wednesday, at least four trucks were moving dirt and other debris from the site. "It’s loud," said Sam Xu, 58, a parking lot attendant across the street from the location. "From the morning until five or six o’clock. It drives me crazy."
The Proposed Jail in Lower Manhattan
The proposed jail in lower Manhattan can have a maximum height of 295 feet and is scheduled to hold 1,040 beds, according to a 2023 rendering. The new, smaller lockups are required by law to be completed in 2027 when the city will be legally prevented from using Rikers Island as a jail.
Conclusion
The city’s plan to close Rikers Island is a complex and ambitious project that has been years in the making. While there are still many challenges to overcome, the selection of two construction firms to build a new lockup in lower Manhattan is a major step forward. The new jail will provide a safer and more humane environment for inmates and will help to reduce the city’s reliance on Rikers Island.
FAQs
Q: What is the timeline for the completion of the new jail?
A: The timeline for the completion of the new jail is still undetermined, but officials expect the process to wrap up in spring 2025.
Q: How many beds will the new jail have?
A: The new jail will have 1,040 beds.
Q: What are the names of the two construction firms selected to build the new jail?
A: The two construction firms selected to build the new jail are Tutor Perini and O & G Industries.
Q: Where are the two construction firms located?
A: Tutor Perini is based in Los Angeles and O & G Industries is a Bridgeport, Connecticut company.
Q: What is the estimated cost of the new jail?
A: The estimated cost of the new jail is $15 billion, up from the initial estimate of $8 billion.
Q: When will the new jail be completed?
A: The new jail is scheduled to be completed in 2027.
