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Concerns and plans for Renewable Rikers Island project
1:44:10
ยท
7 min
Council Member Restler expresses concern about the slow progress of the Renewable Rikers Island project and emphasizes the need for a comprehensive master plan. He discusses the current status of land transfers, assessments conducted, and the potential for achieving ambitious climate goals on the island.
- DCAS has administrative control over 42.5 acres and one building facility on Rikers Island
- Studies have been conducted by various agencies, including DEP and MOCJ
- The closure of Rikers Island is anticipated by 2032, based on current borough-based jail plans
- Council Member Restler urges for faster progress and more aggressive timeline for developing solutions
- DCAS Commissioner Molina agrees on the importance of planning for the future and offers to work with the council on moving forward
Lincoln Restler
1:44:10
And then the last topic Commissioner Molina, I think you are uniquely positioned to lead us to a solution on and that is renewable Rikers.
1:44:20
From your past hat to your current hat, I think you are the person that can help us out of the morass that we find ourselves in.
1:44:28
DC has DOC has transferred 40 acres of vacant land and the JTC facility to DCAS control in 2021.
1:44:36
Does DCAS have full control and utility of that land and site as of today?
Louis Molina
1:44:42
My apologies.
1:44:43
DCAS has over the 42 and a half acres in that one building facility administrative control.
1:44:48
Okay.
1:44:49
We don't are not in a position to have day to day operational control of that site because the operation of the island as you know is is managed by the Department of Corrections.
Lincoln Restler
1:45:00
Does DOC still occupy 25% of the facility for storage?
1:45:04
Is that right?
Louis Molina
1:45:06
I would I don't I don't know the answer to that.
1:45:08
I could
Lincoln Restler
1:45:09
you know if DOC is
Louis Molina
1:45:10
still using the space?
1:45:11
I don't I don't know the answer if they're still using the space.
1:45:15
I would refer you to DOC, but we could also follow-up with you as well.
Lincoln Restler
1:45:18
There was a DOI report that I imagine you remember well that showed the building had been used as a secret lounge after being condemned in 2015 by DOC a secret lounge for DOC officers after the building had been condemned in 2015 and contained hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of unused equipment.
1:45:34
Do you know if this lounge area has been cleared out?
Louis Molina
1:45:37
Well that predated me.
1:45:39
Could tell you what I
Lincoln Restler
1:45:40
Predated you at DKS or predated you
Louis Molina
1:45:42
At DOC.
1:45:42
At DOC.
1:45:43
Yeah.
1:45:43
That lounge situation predated me.
1:45:46
It was not used in that state when I was commissioner.
1:45:48
I would imagine the current DOC commissioner
Lincoln Restler
1:45:50
is not allowing that Good.
1:45:55
Has DCAST conducted any assessment of the 40 acres of vacant land on Rikers that was transferred into your control four years ago?
Louis Molina
1:46:02
Yeah.
1:46:03
So there have been a number of the EEP I think has put in some research on what the possibilities are could be the future of Vicryl's Island, as well as others.
1:46:12
Sana, I don't know if you wanna add anything to that.
Sana Barakat
1:46:15
The DEP and MOCJ.
Louis Molina
1:46:17
And MOCJ also has done some studies that they've shared with the commission as well.
1:46:22
And
Lincoln Restler
1:46:25
have you received any communication from DOC outlining a timeline for future transfers to DCAS?
1:46:30
I have not.
1:46:31
So look
Louis Molina
1:46:33
I mean it is DOC's.
1:46:34
I mean, they only have this Eventually,
Lincoln Restler
1:46:37
we're obviously way behind the timeline that is required in local law.
1:46:41
I think DDC testified, it's been a long week, but DDC testified on Tuesday that they're looking at 02/1932 on current plans if things move as anticipated for closure, for completion of the borough based jails.
1:46:53
So, for our planning purposes, we are seven years away from, if nothing changes, the closure of Rikers Island.
1:47:02
And, we have only the most preliminary of plans for how we can maximize the use of this area to achieve our renewable energy goals and get New York City on a path to sustainability.
1:47:16
I am really struggling to understand why this administration is not taking that planning process more seriously.
1:47:24
There's legislation in the council now to consider a master plan to force the agencies to do more.
1:47:31
My recollection is that there's a task force that just began meeting within the last year.
1:47:36
There's little results to show.
1:47:38
The report was frankly lacking in specificity.
1:47:42
How do we get this to be a top priority of the administration over the course of the remainder of this year?
1:47:49
I don't want to lose nine more months of us sitting on our hands.
1:47:52
We need a real master plan that can, do any variety of bold and ambitious things.
1:47:59
We heard Commissioner Eggerswald testify earlier this week to some of his priority ideas for what we can do on Rikers Island.
1:48:05
But we just we need to start planning and start the environmental review and whatever ULUIP changes will be needed and above and get the resources.
1:48:12
It takes five to seven years to do all of those things.
1:48:15
And if we just let the time go, we're gonna miss an enormous opportunity.
1:48:19
So talk to me.
1:48:21
You know both of these agencies that are the key agencies involved as well as anyone in city government.
1:48:25
How do we do we not lose the rest of 2025?
Louis Molina
1:48:29
Well, think, you know, I look forward to working with the Records Island Commission to come up with their recommendations and any support that we can provide at DCAS and supporting their work in that effort, think is important as thinking about what is the future of that Rikers Island can be.
1:48:45
I've been public about this issue that I think Rikers Island needs to close.
1:48:50
But I think we need to evolve other plans in order to get that done.
1:48:53
So I'm in agreement with you in a lot of areas of how do we plan for the future.
1:48:59
And DCAS will not stand in the way at all.
Lincoln Restler
1:49:01
And who's appointed DCAS for Who's your point person on this issue?
Louis Molina
1:49:05
It's on a barracap because we think the biggest impact what renewable rikers could be is really one of climate and sustainability for the city that could change things for a generation.
Lincoln Restler
1:49:16
Do you think it would be helpful for the council to convene a meeting of some of the leading stakeholders in city government led by deputy commissioner Barakat to start to try and push for a more aggressive timeline to develop solutions here?
Louis Molina
1:49:26
Well, know that SANA chairs those for me at the at the on my as my designee on the commission.
1:49:32
If the council felt they wanted a meeting, that would be up to you.
1:49:35
Certainly, you know, if we were invited, I'm sure we would attend.
Lincoln Restler
1:49:39
I mean the message I got from commissioner Eggerwalt earlier this week was basically that nothing's happening.
1:49:47
Those are not his words.
1:49:48
That's my total interpretation of them.
1:49:50
But I was chairing the environmental protection hearing and it was disappointing.
1:49:55
And I just feel like we're on a road to nowhere and we're losing time and we can't afford it.
1:49:59
It's so important.
1:50:00
I mean this is just a truly the hardest thing to find in New York City is space.
1:50:05
We have an island that where we can achieve some of our most ambitious climate goals, whether it be new wastewater treatment plants, you know, new renewable energy hubs and so much more.
1:50:17
How do we I just I really want to hear how we can take this make this a priority for the rest of 2025.
Louis Molina
1:50:23
Sure.
1:50:23
Okay.
1:50:24
So if you want to have do that work together, I'd be happy to think through how we can do be more action oriented and heading in that direction.
Lincoln Restler
1:50:32
I anticipate we'll have a hearing on this later this year to try to dig into it more in that way, but I'd love to do more work offline to actually move things forward.
1:50:40
Absolutely.
Sana Barakat
1:50:41
If I may add, the REAC committee meets frequently, and we are in the process of developing recommendations for the renewable Rikers.
Lincoln Restler
1:50:50
Okay.
1:50:50
If there is progress that is happening that we're just not aware of, it'd be great to to be looped in more.
1:50:57
I've I've heard from enough people in city government that they do not believe that progress is happening at the pace that it should that I'm I'm concerned.
1:51:03
So I appreciate that you're working on it.
1:51:05
I'd love for us to fast track it.
1:51:07
With that, thank you very much commissioner.
1:51:09
Deputy commissioner and team, appreciate DKAS for your hard work.
1:51:11
I hope you guys have a great rest of your day.
Louis Molina
1:51:13
You too.