Report: If Asked, Mayor de Blasio Would Speak to Chinatown about Proposed Jail
de Blasio town hall, June 2017
Is it possible that the mayor would come to Chinatown and field concerns about his proposed high-rise jail?
During the weekly “Ask the Mayor” radio segment on WNYC two weeks ago, Mayor de Blasio told host Brian Lehrer that if the local councilmember in either of the affected four boroughs invited him to a community forum, he would “do it in a heartbeat.” (Listen to the segment below starting at 18:00.)
So, in that case, what’s everyone waiting for?
The local councilwoman is, of course, Margaret Chin. She continues to support the plan, which calls for a 430-foot detention center at 80 Centre Street. In fact, every City Councilmember whose district includes one of the proposed jails supports the mayor’s proposal (i.e. Diana Ayala, Stephen Levin, and Karen Koslowitz).
Photo: New York City
As previously reported, the city’s so-called “roadmap to closing Rikers” envisions glitzy new jail facilities in four of the five boroughs. The proposed Manhattan building would carry roughly 1,500 beds for the incarcerated, plus a day room, activity room, counseling services, and potentially outdoor space.
Maybe it’s high time for Chin to extend that invite.
Recent Stories
Black Seed Bagels will Reopen on Elizabeth Street Next Month
One month after an early-morning fire ripped through the original Black Seed Bagels in Little Italy, the business is on the mend. And might reopen sooner than initially expected. As in next month. On March 7, a fire sparked on-premise and knocked out the whole bagel operation. Firefighters were successful in extinguishing the blaze and […]
Tsaôcaa & Bào Bubble Tea Spot Opens on Ludlow Street
Three months after the Thai ice creamery, Juicy Spot, faded from Ludlow Street, another snack shop is now operational. This time, the M.O. is all things bubble tea. Tsaôcaa & Bào recently opened at 109 Ludlow, just north of Delancey Street. It describes itself as a bubble tea business that “strives for ultimate freshness and […]
Time is Short for the Longtime Subway Florist of 14th Street
With the rebranded L train “slowdown” one day away, time is slim for the longtime subway florist on 14th Street. Our roving photographer – Lower East Side native Robert Carmona – caught up with the subterranean peddler last month to learn the latest. Periklis Tsoumas, who has been at the 1st Avenue and 14th Street […]
Report: Tenement Museum Workers Unionize
The front-facing staff of the Tenement Museum, after many failed attempts throughout the years, have finally agreed to unionize. A vote was held last week in which all education, retail, and visitor services employees mobilized to join Local 2110 UAW (United Auto Workers). The measure passed by a 96% margin. The vote was spurred by […]
Sunshine Cinema Signage Carted Away
Sunshine, sunset, swiftly goes the demolition. Indeed, no sooner did the sidewalk bridge appear at 141 East Houston Street than workers deposed the Sunshine Cinema neon lettering. We’re told that a van carted the signage away yesterday. Co-owner-developer East End Capital did not return our request about the fate of the letters. Meanwhile, the demolition […]
