What is happening?

There is a plan to demolish the current two Manhattan Detention Complexes, located in Chinatown, NYC, to create a new 40 story jail. Construction will last until at least 2027.

Why is this happening?

We all want criminal justice form and we know the conditions at Rikers are beyond terrible. The city is looking to close down Rikers by opening four Borough Based Jails and reclaim the island to invest in renewable energy.

Roadmap to Closing Rikers
Renewable Rikers Act

Why is this a problem?

There are too many unknowns to justify the $2.3B spend on this building. It is unclear how the building a new jail will fundamentally change the existing problems when it doesn’t address retraining staff or take into account how bail reform will change the needs for a jail.

Meanwhile, there is a large potential risk in having a devastating effect on Chinatown on top of the existing factors. The proposed jail will use both Centre Street and Baxter Streets for construction, an already densely populated area with senior housing, green space, and small businesses. Chinatown was hit harder and earlier economically by Covid-19. Fear of Anti-Asian attacks and concerns around safety contribute to the labor shortages found in Chinatown. Chinatown’s location as a transitory hub increases the chances of finding people without homes in the neighborhood. Park Row remains closed after September 11th which impacts congestion in and out of Chinatown. Ongoing construction on the Brooklyn Bridge also results in congestion on the Manhattan Bridge and nearby streets.

This is not to mention how the local Chinatown community either:

1. Does not know the jail happening and its potential 5-7 year impact

2. Knows and does not want the jail there

Both are problems.

How soon is this happening?

What is the history behind all this?

• 02/14/2020 NUBC's Article 78 Lawsuit Filed in NY State Supreme Court

• 09/21/2020 NUBC DECLARES VICTORY AFTER JUDGE RULES IN FAVOR OF THE PETITIONERS

• 03/30/2021 Previous Decision appealed in the Appellate Division

• 07/08/2021 NUBC motions to leave to the Court of Appeals

• 11/23/2021 NUBC Court of Appeals Denied

What has the mayor said about this?

While on the campaign trail, Mayor Adams spoke at an NUBC rally on April 2, 2021. He said:

No new jails, no building up in this (Chinatown) location. We could do a better job and that it is possible to solve the problems we are facing in incarceration without the destruction of communities.

How can I learn even more?

Visit our friends at Neighbors United Below Canal (NUBC) for more information.