Urging Robust Community Input in Future of Bayview Building

As I have reported in previous months, New York State’s Fiscal Year 2013-14 Budget approved the closure of Bayview Correctional Facility, a former medium-security women’s prison located at 550 West 20th Street. On July 24, I held a meeting, attended by Assembly Member Richard Gottfried, representatives of other local elected officials, members of Manhattan Community Board 4 (CB4), and representatives from New York State Empire State Development (ESD) – the entity tasked with the sale of the building – to establish a dialogue between the community and ESD about Bayview’s next chapter. I was pleased to hear from ESD that the State is interested in the community’s priorities for the facility. Later that same day, CB4 voted to send a letter to ESD outlining preliminary recommendations for reuse of the site. I will continue to work with the Board and other stakeholders to ensure that they are heeded. I will also work to ensure that CB4 has a seat at the table throughout this process.