City Planning Commission Holds Hearing Today on Borough-Based Jail Plan

The existing Manhattan Detention Complex is located on White Street in Chinatown.

The City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing today on the mayor’s controversial borough-based jail plan. The proposal calls for replacing facilities on Rikers Island with four large prisons in NYC neighborhoods, including a massive 40-story complex at 125 White St. in Chinatown.

The hearing begins at 10 a.m. at the CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 524 West 59th St. If you can’t attend in person, there will be a live feed here.

As The City reports, three out of four borough presidents oppose the plan. Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer has offered her conditional support (among other points, she wants to see a height reduction in the proposed Chinatown tower). The borough presidents’ opinions are only advisory. The City Council, on the other hand, has the power to approve or reject the land use applications necessary to build the new jails.

The advocacy organizations, Boroughs United and Neighbors United Below Canal, released a statement yesterday that read, in part, “While we applaud MBP Brewer’s efforts to identify many of the concerns raised by the residents, including seniors and families, and struggling small businesses directly affected by the demolition and construction of this jail plan, we are disappointed that it falls short of holding Mayor DeBlasio accountable for the risks, danger and waste his plan presents to the community.”