The Rikers Island prison is shutting down and plans to build another facility are in the works. Currently, there are plans to build a 40-story prison in Lower Manhattan.
According to the New York Post, the city is considering building the new facility near the courthouse, at 80 Centre Street. The nine-story government building that currently stands there would be replaced with the high rise detention facility. Mayor de Blasio’s spokeswoman, Natalie Grybauskas, said: “We are considering two potential options for a facility in Manhattan as part of our plan to close Rikers Island, and are engaging with the community to gather input.”
The second location they’re considering is the Manhattan Detention Complex at 125 White Street, but there are concerns that the facility may be too small.
De Blasio would like to shut down Rikers Island within the next 10 years.