[Bronx News]
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. says “I must remain steadfast in my opposition to any plan that not only builds a new jail at the wrong location but also refuses to address the legitimate concerns raised…”
Photo: Facebook
Today, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has issued a negative recommendation on the de Blasio Administration’s proposal to build borough-based jails in four boroughs, including a new jail in the Mott Haven neighborhood of The Bronx.
“Throughout this process the city has refused to address the concerns of The Bronx, nor has the administration adequately included our borough in its planning process. Although I adamantly support the closing of Riker’s Island, I must remain steadfast in my opposition to any plan that not only builds a new jail at the wrong location but also refuses to address the legitimate concerns raised by individuals and organizations on all sides of the issue,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Borough President Diaz has long held that there is a much better site for a proposed jail, specifically replacing the existing Bronx Family Court location and combining with adjacent vacant space next to the Bronx Hall of Justice on East 161st Street to construct a modern court and detention facility that meets the needs and concerns of all impacted stakeholders.
“The city has proposed a jail that is the wrong size and in the wrong place,” said Borough President Diaz. “It is unfair to the people of The Bronx to force them to accept the burden of a plan that even the de Blasio administration admits is not the best it can be while also dismissing their concerns as unreasonable. The Mott Haven community would be better served through a reinvestment of city resources into the surrounding area.”
Borough President Diaz’s complete ULURP recommendations can be read at https://on.nyc.gov/328JSBu.
Maps of the proposed jail sites are available for download at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmBRbmet.
Borough President Diaz held his ULURP hearing on the jail proposal on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at The Bronx County Building.
Photos from that hearing can be downloaded at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmExaWDh.
