Locals To Host Friday Town Hall On Manhattan Jail Plan

CHINATOWN, NY — A coalition of residents, businesses and organizations across Lower Manhattan who say the De Blasio administration's controversial proposal to build a high-rise jail at 80 Centre Street is being crammed through the approvals process are hosting a Friday town hall to help educate locals on the plan.

Community group Neighbors United Below Canal, which has formed in opposition to the project, is teaming up with the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New York to give locals a venue to raise their questions and concerns on the proposed prison, which is one of four jails slated to replace Rikers Island.

In August, the city stunned local leaders with the announcement that it was considering the 80 Centre Street site as an option for Manhattan's borough-based jail. Residents were initially told Downtown's existing jail — the Manhattan Detention Center, also known as "The Tombs," at 125 White Street — would be expanded.

The shift has spurred vehement opposition from residents and local elected officials over the lack of community input prior to the city's announcement.

Community activists have booed and shouted down city officials during presentations on the plan and packed meetings past capacity to express their ire.

The two community groups hosting Friday's forum hope to give locals a more productive venue to learn about the proposal, said one town hall organizer.

“The goal of the town hall is two-fold: first, to inform the community about the Mayor's plan and the problem with the process, and second, to provide community members an opportunity to ask questions and share their views,” said Nancy Kong, a founding member of Neighbors United Below Canal, who lives two blocks from the proposed jail.

Organizers have invited elected officials including Mayor Bill de Blasio, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Councilwoman Margaret Chin to attend and listen to locals input on the project.

The town hall is on Friday, Oct. 26 at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association at 62 Mott Street starting at 6 p.m.

A conceptual design of the new jail proposed for 80 Centre Street in Lower Manhattan. (Image courtesy of Mayor Bill de Blasio's Office)