NYC starts process of building borough jails to replace Rikers

The city has taken the first steps in carrying out its plan to replace Rikers Island with a new jail in four of its five boroughs.

The city’s Department of Design and Construction met with more than 120 design and construction firms last week to detail its plans for the four “borough-based” jails.

The first two requests for proposal will be released early next year, according to department officials.

The city will ultimately evaluate and select firms for seven design-build contracts.  Those projects will construct jails in Manhattan’s Chinatown, Downtown Brooklyn, Mott Haven and Kew Gardens.

The City Council approved last month the de Blasio administration’s plan to construct the new jails to replacement for Rikers Island.

Controversy followed the proposal.

Councilmembers and residents close to the chosen construction sites pushed the city to consider alternate locations for each of the jails, while others said Rikers could close without the construction of new detention facilities.

The island jail will close in 2026 under the approved plan.

The city has asked developers to submit their qualifications for the first two related projects: a parking garage for the Queens jail and building demolition and construction of swing space at the Brooklyn site.

The requests for proposals for the Manhattan and Bronx jails will be released next spring. Contracts won’t be released for the full Queens and Brooklyn jails until spring 2021.

https://www.crainsnewyork.com/politics/city-starts-process-building-borough-jails-replace-rikers