Work begins on world's LARGEST mega-prison as residents in uproar over 300ft-tall jail
Work begins on the world's tallest mega-prison, in Chinatown, New York City
Neighbours United Below Canal
The world’s tallest prison standing at 300-foot is being built in Chinatown, New York City, sending residents into an uproar.
The 40-floor tower which will house 1,000 prisoners will be located on the grounds of the former Manhattan Detention Complex.
Known to locals as The Tombs, the old prison will be demolished in order to make way for the “jail scraper”.
The destruction of the detention complex has caused major disruption for nearby residents, with heavy dust and loud noise creating chaos.
Those in favour of the new jail say it is necessary in order to shut down Rikers
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Cracks have formed in nearby buildings and residents have been forced to keep their windows shut to keep the dust out.
Foi Lin Cheng, 74, told The New York Times: “Sometimes, it shakes so much, I feel like the building is going to collapse.”
Cheng lives in the senior centre next door, which contains 88 apartments for elderly people with a low income.
However, with the construction of the mega-jail looming, the problems are likely to worsen.
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Jan Lee, a co-founder of Neighbours United Below Canal, a nonprofit group representing local leaders and businesses, told the outlet: “We are the dumping ground.”
He believes that many restaurants and businesses will not survive the construction of the jail.
Lee said that no housing initiatives have been launched in Chinatown, despite numerous homeless shelters going up in the neighbourhood.
The Manhattan Detention Centre, which was built in the Egyptian Revival style over two centuries ago, was closed in November 2020.
A sketch of the impacted area showing its proximity to key community buildings
Neighbours United Below Canal
According to contractors, the demolition is likely to be completed by the end of next year.
The Tombs are located on Rikers Island, a 413-acre prison island in the East River in the Bronx. It is known for inmate violence at the centre and rising detainee deaths.
Five years ago, the council announced $8.3billion (£6.5billion) plans to build four new jails in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx to replace the island.
Those in favour of the new jail say it is necessary in order to shut down Rikers.