Bronx Community Board to Question City Over Controversial Jail Plan at Public Meeting

BRONX, NY (05/14/2019) (readMedia)-- In advance of Bronx Community Board 1's vote on the City's controversial plan to build a jail in Mott Haven, Land Use Committee members will question City representatives on Wednesday at a public hearing. The Community Board has voiced its opposition to the Mott Haven plan in the past -- most recently at a raucous monthly board meeting -- and expressed community concerns that the jail will burden a low-income community of color.

The City chose the proposed Mott Haven location without input or support from the community and has since faced public opposition, including from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Opponents argue that the jail would prevent local community based organizations from using the proposed space to build a mixed income housing development that would help revitalize the Mott Haven community. They've also expressed public safety concerns, and called for the new Bronx jail to be sited at the near the Bronx courthouse instead.

The full Community Board will vote on the proposal on May 23rd.