Rikers Island (Wikimedia)
Dec. 5, 2019 By Allison Griffin
The City began the land use process Monday to ensure that Rikers Island never houses another inmate again after the facility closes at the end of 2026.
The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, the Department of Correction and the Speaker of the City Council filed a land use application to change Rikers designation on the official city map to a public place, marking the first step in the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP).
The application submitted Monday is solely focused on the mapping of Rikers to change its use from a jail facility to a public place.
“By guaranteeing that Rikers will never again be used for incarceration, we’re charting a new course forward for the Island and the people of New York City,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We’re making good on our promise to close Rikers once and for all.”
The proposed mapping action does not open the door to development. Any future plans will require a new planning and public review process, including a separate approval for and environmental review process as necessary.
The infamous Rikers Island facility will be shuttered at the end of 2026 and inmates will be housed in four borough-based jails, including a controversial facility that will built in Kew Gardens. This plan was approved under a separate ULURP by the council in October despite all four community boards where the jails will be constructed rejecting it.
The plan’s success hinges on declining levels of incarceration.
The number of people currently in city jails is around 7,000, the lowest figure since the late 1970s. However, the new borough-based jails can only hold 3,444 inmates altogether. The Mayor’s Office said the City remains on course for a reduced jail population of no more than 3,300 by 2026 when Rikers closes.
The City is moving forward with planning for the four new jails. Last month, it sent out the first Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) to begin the process of selecting the Design-Build teams that will construct the jails.
One of the fist RFQs includes the creation of a new parking garage at the Queens site in Kew Gardens.
The new Kew Gardens jail will replace the decommissioned detention facility at 182-02 82nd Ave. It will rise 19 stories and house 886 inmates. It was reduced in size from the original plan, which called for a 27-story building with 1,437 inmates.
The shuttered Queens Detention Center will be replaced with a new jail (Photo: QueensPost)
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7 Comments
Where’s my Anthony going to go if rikers closes
Last big recession in early 90’s we had 20k+ violent felons and thugs in Rikers….the new jails will only hold 3,444 inmates…where are the other 16k dangerous criminals going to be housed?…We have a huge recession coming within 2 years and nobody has an answer to that question….Why would our progressive Mayor sell out to the real estate industry to let them develop Rikers Island into a playground for the rich?? it is the perfect place to house 20k felons…has everyone just lost their basic common sense?
Hmmmmmmm, I wonder how much the city will pilfer from NY’ers once they redevelop that island and turn it into prime real estate with River views all around and a private bridge. One way in, one way out. You know its the inevitable.
why they settin all the criminals free that’s a bad idea tell ya whut
Why don’t you go back to Michigan you spoiled hipster douche…see ya at the polls!!!
???
I guess Trumpsters can’t do math. His base is only about 28%, which is alot less than 72%. In defense to some Dems who voted for him the first because they didn’t want a woman in Office…..fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
Just as every cop is a criminal….and all the sinners saints