CLOSING RIKERS

Queens
Detention
Site

The Queens borough-based jail will be located at the site of the current Queens Detention Center at 126-02 82nd Avenue in Kew Gardens. The new, state of the art facility will have dedicated space for on-site services and programming, indoor and outdoor recreation, food services, staff offices and facilities, amenities, and a secured entry (sally port).

The new facility will contain 886 beds, including 126 beds for all women and gender expansive individuals in New York City’s Department of Correction custody with a dedicated intake, visiting space, and medical facilities for pregnant women and mothers, and will provide 305 accessory parking spaces below grade for all staff and service providers. In addition, the facility will provide 25,000 sq. ft. of community space in the cellar, first and second floors of the garage.

The Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is awarding three separate Design-Build contracts — one for the new facility, one for the parking garage and community space project, and one for the dismantle and sally port project required to prepare the facility and facilitate NYC Department of Correction’s transfers for court appearances during construction.

CLOSING RIKERS

Queens Site
Quick Information

What?

The Queens Detention Site Project consists of demolishing the existing detention center and replacing it with a modern facility

Where?

The Queens Site will be located at 126-02 82nd Avenue, Kew Gardens, NY

When?

As of Friday, June 25, 2021, construction is underway on the parking garage and community space alongside the new jail that will rise adjacent to Borough Hall and the Queens Criminal Courthouse.

Why?

Building the new facility is part of the borough-based jail system which aims to create a smaller, safer, and fairer system by incarcerating less people and building modern facilities

CLOSING RIKERS

Queens
Garage &
Community Space

The Queens borough-based jail will be located at the site of the current Queens Detention Center at 126-02 82nd Avenue in Kew Gardens. The new, state of the art facility will have dedicated space for on-site services and programming, indoor and outdoor recreation, food services, staff offices and facilities, amenities, and a secured entry (sally port).

The new facility will contain 886 beds, including 126 beds for all women and gender expansive individuals in New York City’s Department of Correction custody with a dedicated intake, visiting space, and medical facilities for pregnant women and mothers, and will provide 305 accessory parking spaces below grade for all staff and service providers. In addition, the facility will provide 25,000 sq. ft. of community space in the cellar, first and second floors of the garage.

The Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is awarding three separate Design-Build contracts – one for the new facility, one for the parking garage and community space project, and one for the dismantle and sally port project required to prepare the facility and facilitate NYC Department of Correction’s transfers for court appearances during construction.

CLOSING RIKERS

Queens Garage & Community Space Quick Information

What?

The Queens Detention Site Project consists of demolishing the existing detention center and replacing it with a modern facility

Where?

The Queens Site will be located at 126-02 82nd Avenue, Kew Gardens, NY

When?

As of Friday, June 25, 2021, construction is underway on the parking garage and community space alongside the new jail that will rise adjacent to Borough Hall and the Queens Criminal Courthouse.

Why?

Building the new facility is part of the borough-based jail system which aims to create a smaller, safer, and fairer system by incarcerating less people and building modern facilities

CLOSING RIKERS

Queens Site, Garage & Community Space Design Principles & Guidelines

The City’s overarching goals for all component projects undertaken as part of the Borough-Based Jails Program (BBJ Program), including new detention facilities and Early Works, such as dismantle and swing space projects, are described below.

  1. The design and construction of the new Sites must be grounded in dignity and respect through offering spaces dedicated to promoting better connections to families, attorneys, courts, medical and mental health care, education, therapeutic programming, and service providers. These Sites must enable effective and tailored programming, provide appropriate housing for those with medical and mental health needs, and facilitate enhanced opportunities for stable reentry into the community.
  2. The design and construction of the new Sites and related projects of the BBJ Program must provide a safe, humane, secure, and efficient environment for all those who work, visit, or are in custody within these Sites.
  3. The design and construction of the new Sites and related projects must be beacons of exemplary public architecture that thoughtfully respond to the urban context, contribute positively to the character of the surrounding neighborhood and streetscape, and serve as civic assets for all New Yorkers. Refer to the Center for Active Design’s Civic Design Guidelines, on creating well-designed public spaces.
  4. The design and construction of the new Sites must strive to relate to the city it is in and create a sense of place for the citizens it serves. As good civic architecture, the Sites must be welcoming and inclusive, serving all regardless of ability, race, creed, or gender. The Sites must embody a generative spirit that does not stagnate on a fixed identity and is uplifting rather than authoritative, empowering the people and community it serves.
  5. The provision of exceptional design based on thoughtful engagement with City agencies and community partners.
  6. The construction and related operations must minimize impacts to neighboring properties, sites and the community at large; achieve dust and noise mitigation standards that exceed minimum regulatory thresholds.
  7. The provision of site safety in and around all Project sites.
  8. The optimization of overall operations and maintenance efficiency.
  9. Project completion is within budget and on schedule.
  10. Proactively seek out innovative solutions to accelerate the Project schedule while controlling cost and maintaining quality and safety.
  11. The provision of robust minority- and women-owned business enterprise participation.
  12. The exemplification of the City’s principles of Project Excellence, including excellence in design, construction, and project delivery.

In addition to the general goals of the Program, specific Project goals for the Queens Site include the following:

  1. Create a design that achieves the goals expressed in the Program Goals (above) while meeting functional requirements, including but not limited to sustainability, design integration, and community impact.
  2. Demonstrate transparency in the design and construction process for the community and the public-atlarge.
  3. Monitor and protect surrounding structures, including neighboring buildings and facilities during construction.
  4. Minimize loss of parking and traffic impacts at the Queens site during dismantling and construction.
  5. Minimize disruption and negative impacts to court operations to the greatest extent possible.
  6. Create and maintain safe, accessible, and well-lit pedestrian pathways throughout dismantling and construction activities.
  7. Prioritize environmental sustainability in the Queens Site and incorporate measures to achieve higher standards of energy efficiency, including Passive House techniques and principles into design, construction, and maintenance.

QUEENS SITE & GARAGE

Queens Site & Garage Latest Updates

Queens Site & Garage Construction Updates

Queens Site & Garage Latest Documents

BBJ Queens QDSS Environmental Monitoring Report – Apr 2024

BBJ Queens QDSS Environmental Monitoring Report – Mar 2024

BBJ Queens QDSS Environmental Monitoring Report – Feb 2024

BBJ Queens QDSS Environmental Monitoring Report – Jan 2024

BBJ Queens QDSS Environmental Monitoring Report – Nov 2023

BBJ Queens QDSS Environmental Monitoring Report – Dec 2023

Neighborhood Advisory Committee
Meeting Materials

Community Presentations

Queens Community Board 9 Land Use Committee Presentation – 01/26/2022

Queens Community Board 9 Land Use Committee Meeting – 04/12/2021

Environmental Monitoring Reports & Documents

BBJ Queens QDSS Environmental Monitoring Report – Dec 2023

BBJ Queens QDSS Environmental Monitoring Report – July 2023

BBJ Queens QDSS Environmental Monitoring Report – October 2023

BBJ Queens QDSS Environmental Monitoring Report – September 2023

BBJ Queens QDSS Environmental Monitoring Report – August 2023

BBJ Queens QDSS Environmental Monitoring Report – June 2023