Manhattan could get a 40-story prison as part of Rikers shutdown plan

As part of its plan to shutdown the Rikers Island prison, the city is now considering the creation of a 40-story prison in Lower Manhattan, the New York Post has learned. City Council Speaker Corey Johnson told the Post that the city would like this new prison to ideally be located next to the Lower Manhattan courthouses.

One option under consideration is the nine-story government building at 80 Center Street. The existing structure would be replaced by the high-rise prison, if this particular plan were to move forward. It would house inmates who are typically taken from Manhattan to Rikers at present, according to the Post.

Another site being considered is the Manhattan Detention Complex at 125 White Street, but city officials are concerned that it might be too small. The de Blasio administration is keen to shutdown Rikers over the next 10 years and build smaller prisons in the boroughs, and have each borough take on more of the responsibility (except for Staten Island).

Earlier this year, the administration announced the site of a new prison in the Bronx, but the proposed location has caused some concerns among local elected officials and residents for its proximity to schools.

• City considering building a high-rise jail complex in lower Manhattan [NYP]
• NYC issues request for proposals for alternatives to Rikers Island [Curbed]
• South Bronx residents push back against proposed area jail [Curbed]