Tomorrow Is the First Public Hearing on What Will Happen to Rikers Island Land

When it was announced that Rikers Island was finally closing, and next question came: what should NYC do with the land?

There has already been momentum to make it a public space for New Yorkers, rather than more condos or development of that nature. The NYC Department of Correction, The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Defense, and NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson are pursuing an “amendment to the City Map” which involves the “establishment of Public Place on Rikers Island within the area bounded by the U.S. Pierhead and Bulkhead line.”

The very first public hearing on the matter is taking place tomorrow, January 8 at 6:30 p.m. Johnson and the other applicants will give a presentation on their proposal first, and then members of the public (that’s you!) will be invited to speak. You can also send a written testimony to be read to Queens Community Board 1 at 45-02 Ditmars Blvd, Suite LL 025, Astoria, NY or email or fax at qn01@cb.nyc.gov.

If you feel strongly about what should happen to the land, head to the meeting and make your opinion known! This is the very first step of what will likely be a long and arduous process in 2020.

Where: I.S. 141Q, The Steinway, 37-11 21st Ave, Long Island City, NY 11105

When: Wednesday, January 8 at 6:30 p.m.

One Comment

Timea Talosi January 7th, 2020

an indoor /outdoor water park would be nice,with all the trimmings ,like parking a hotel,restaurants,bar and a gym

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