We heard some strange noises at a public forum in the South Bronx. Is Mayor Bloomberg trying to clear out Rikers Island Prison and turn it into the Paradise Island real estate boondoggle? Read this dispatch from the Bronx:
City Council Speaker Fuels Speculation on Rikers Island Prison
At the SOBRO (Community Organization), South Bronx Leadership Forum, on April 5th, Christine Quinn, the NYC City Council Speaker gave a dynamic speech. SOBRO President Philip Morrow opened the event and introduced Maria del Carmen Arroyo, NY City Council Representative from the 17th district in the South Bronx. Ms. Arroyo thanked Ms. Quinn for pushing laws for public safety, affordable housing and in general, a more constructive negotiating process. This was especially important in getting the Community Board Agreements (CBAs) for the construction of the new mall at the Bronx Terminal Market site, and the new Yankee Stadium. These include agreements for local residents to get jobs on these worksites. Similarly, with the new school campus at Concourse Village, Maria Arroyo thanked Ms. Quinn’s help to make sure that this contaminated site is cleaned up properly.
Ms. Christine Quinn thanked Ms. Arroyo for the enthusiastic introduction. She also cited the help of Ms. Maria Arroyo. “Maria didn’t say no, and take the easy way out”, on the construction of the new school campus. She realized that new school seats are necessary for the Bronx, but made sure the job is done right.
Ms. Quinn openly admitted that there is a crisis with a rising rate of home foreclosures and the sub-prime mortgage market. She sees that 40% of New Yorkers are paying around 50% of their income for housing, and that there are no easy answers. There is a federal and city program to match housing down payments and closing costs for those with incomes under $52,000 a year, and that the limit now has to be raised to $90,000.
Stephen Smith, President of Oak Point Property, asked a question about concerns that the community has about a jail on Oak Point in the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx, and why shouldn’t this land be developed for its original industrial use? Also, he said that the Department of Corrections is moving to close Riker’s Island jail, with its 12,000 prisoners, and wouldn’t this imply a $5 billion budget for building jails in the city? Ms. Quinn replied that the city council has not weighed in on this issue yet, but the criminal justice committee is looking at it. The mayor has the authority to close jails if he wishes. This relates to the current expansion of the jail in Brooklyn on Atlantic Avenue. She said that hearings were pushed back to give more time for people to speak out on these issues and make sure there is transparency.
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