News

EAST ELMHURST, NY – As part of the movement to close the jails on Rikers Island, Mayor de Blasio authorized the transfer of several portions of land from DOC to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS).
 
“We look forward to the day when all the land on Rikers is no longer hosting jails and our facilities are closer to communities, courts and services,” said DOC Commissioner Vincent Schiraldi. “But for now, we’re happy to hand off a few parcels at a time.”
 
“This administration, along with the City Council, has worked tirelessly to develop a plan to transform Rikers Island,” said Department of Citywide Administrative Services Acting Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock. “The transfer of these three parcels is another step towards achieving this goal and I look forward to DCAS’s continued involvement in this endeavor.”
The hand-off is pursuant to a bill signed into law by Mayor de Blasio earlier this year, which requires the transfer of portions of Rikers Island that are not in active use as a jail site to DCAS. The unused land is comprised of three parcels totaling approximately 43 acres.  The first transfer, which occurred in the summer of 2021, involved the now vacant James A. Thomas Center, a 1,200-bed jail built in the 1930s.
 
The full transfer of Rikers Island to DCAS is due to be completed by August 31, 2027.

Eventually a study will be conducted on renewable energy generation and storage on Rikers Island.

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