Andrew Cuomo proposed replacing New York City’s borough-based jail plan with new facilities on Rikers Island. Speaking at the Crain’s Business Mayoral Forum, Cuomo criticized the current plan as costly, delayed, and unworkable.
“Let’s be clear: Rikers in its current form must be closed—it is a human rights violation. But the borough-based jail plan was unworkable from the start,” Cuomo said, noting the $16 billion project has exceeded its budget and disrupted residential neighborhoods.
Under Cuomo’s proposal, outdated Rikers facilities would be phased out while new “state-of-the-art” buildings are constructed on the island. He also suggested converting the borough jail sites into affordable housing and mixed-use developments, including retail, childcare centers, and community spaces. “We can close Rikers as we know it, and rebuild it the right way,” he added, arguing the city could save billions by focusing construction on a single site.
The 2019 plan, enacted under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, aimed to close Rikers by 2027 and replace it with four borough-based jails. The project has faced repeated delays and cost overruns. The Brooklyn and Manhattan jails are years behind schedule, and the planned capacity of 3,300 beds falls short of Rikers’ current population of over 7,000.
Cuomo’s shift from supporting Rikers’ closure marks a significant policy reversal. He said building on the island is a practical solution and cited his experience completing major infrastructure projects, including LaGuardia Airport and Moynihan Train Hall. His plan also calls for express bus routes from each borough to Rikers to maintain family visitation.
Cuomo emphasized that his approach reflects “common sense and competence,” asserting that the city needs leadership capable of managing large-scale projects efficiently.
