Split Decision on House of Detention
Yesterday’s decision in State Supreme Court regarding the future of the Brooklyn House of Detention had something in it for both sides: The city expressed pleasure with the ruling that allows it to resume operating the 759-bed jail as it did prior to closing it in 2003. (It’s been operating it on at a reduced…
Yesterday’s decision in State Supreme Court regarding the future of the Brooklyn House of Detention had something in it for both sides: The city expressed pleasure with the ruling that allows it to resume operating the 759-bed jail as it did prior to closing it in 2003. (It’s been operating it on at a reduced capacity since last November.) Neighborhood activists and politicians who have been speaking out against the city’s plan to double the jail’s capacity in a half-billion-dollar build-out were happy with the part of the decision that required any future expansion to be prefaced by environmental and land use reviews. The lawyer for the opponents, Randy Mastro, called the ruling a huge victory for the community and a vindication of its right to meaningful public input before the city commits itself to such massive projects. Opposition group Stop BHOD and other community groups and public officials will be holding a protest on the steps of City Hall tomorrow at 11:30 a.m.
Court Allows Brooklyn Jail to Reopen [NY Times]
Judge Clears Reopening of Brooklyn Jail [NYT/City Room]
Brooklyn House of Detention Can Reopen, Judge Rules [NY Daily News]
Judge: City can reopen House of D [Brooklyn Paper]
Judge Reopens Jail Doors [Brooklyn Eagle]
lifer,
YES! I loved that scuba shop. Growing up the only place I ever say a kayak was in that window. And the mannequin with all the scuba gear? Brilliant.
That shop was there forever and I was bummed when they closed.
I hope Yassky, Joann Simon and all the other whiners are ready the comments from here today.
Man those Brownsville folks got it made! now they can get out of their project and move up to a desirable neighborhood. And the Fulton Mall is so close for when they get their $100 and released.
BTW – incorrect information the Brooklyn HOD was CLOSED to inmates for approximately 4 years before November – that is NO PRISONERS
Which I find disgraceful since they spent 85M fixing it up – the sooner they either reopen it fully or sell the parcel (the only too remotely legitimate options) the better.
I dont think it will be the end of the world. The Manhattan HOD is much more high profile, and it doesnt really disturb the neighborhood.
Christopher, It was a Scuba shop that was there forever. I have lived in Cobble Hill all my life, my business is within a block of the HOD. We do business with the people who work there (it is true they never really closed). I Remember when it did close most of its operation, the original owner of St Claire diner was lamenting the closing saying they got a ton of business from people visiting the Jail. I wont repeat the reasons why its not really going to matter if they fully open and expand, everyone is making a fine argument already.
I seem to remember one HOD thread where someone complained that the Bail Bonds and Attorney businesses were bad for the neighborhood. That one was good for a laugh. It’s amazing how people with a little money have such an outsized sense of entitlement.
I grew up in Brooklyn Heights, still live there. I’ve barely noticed the HOD, ever.
It’s always been there but I can never remember a time when it was controversial until it “closed” (of all the ironies).
It was/is what it is, a detention center located right next to the courts. Been there for years and never posed a problem. I don’t see it posing one now.
I also think all the “stop the HOD” people are new to the area. If they aren’t then where was their righteous indignation for the decades it was in operation?
And if the HOD is so bad how about the Bail Bonds and Attorney businesses that kept that intersection alive before Brooklyn Industries (extra points for anyone who remembers what was in that corner retail spot forever before Bklyn Indust.)
I don’t care if they re-open it. If they want to spend $400 mil, “projected”, to expand I have a problem with that. That $400 mil will double before we know it and it’ll be a pit of cash.
Re-open it as is and I bet 12 months later no one will even realize it is fully operational.
“1. The HOD will be a negative for the surrounding businesses and real estate. I don’t think this is really debatable.”
By the way Gent, it IS certainly debatable, you are undoubtedly wrong, and you clearly have no idea what you’re talking about.