Chinatown leaders warn NYC Mayor over Manhattan high-rise jail plan

Chinatown community leaders have issued a formal warning to Mayor Zohran Mamdani regarding a proposed 16-story high-rise jail in Lower Manhattan. In a letter signed by 18 local leaders, they expressed concerns that the construction of the facility at 124–125 White Street could destabilize the surrounding area.

The proposed project is part of a $16 billion citywide initiative to close the Rikers Island jail complex and replace it with four borough-based detention facilities located near courthouses, a process expected to conclude by 2032.

Opponents argue that the site sits on the soft, waterlogged ground of the former Collect Pond. They warn that the deep excavation required for the project could necessitate pumping out groundwater, which may cause the surrounding ground to sink permanently. Furthermore, leaders noted that many older nearby buildings rely on century-old wooden foundations that remain stable only while submerged; exposing this wood to air could accelerate structural deterioration.