New York City Council Speaker, Corey Johnson (D-3rd District), turned a Green Eye toward Rikers Island on Wednesday.
The Speaker enthusiastically Backed Proposals at a City Hall Hearing by Queens Councilman Costa Constantinides (D-22nd District) that would begin the Process of turning the Incarceration Complex, Scheduled to Close in 2026, into a Solar Farm and Wastewater Treatment Facility.
Johnson, who hopes to be the Mayor and hold Control over Rikers when its Jails shut down, argued that the Constantinides Vision would Assist the City in Hitting its Goals of Reducing its Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 80%, by Mid-Century.
"We now have an extraordinary opportunity to turn Rikers Island into something positive, that will make New York City a greener and more sustainable place for everyone," he said. "The time to do this is now."
Constantinides' Bills would Obligate the City to conduct Feasibility Studies on placing Renewable Energy Arrays, Battery Storage, and a Wastewater Plant on the 413-acre Isle, which the Councilman, himself currently Running for Queens Borough President—hopes would allow the Closure of Existing Power and Sewage Facilities near Residential Neighborhoods.
Another of his Proposals would Require the City Department of Corrections to remand the 413-acre Isle to the Department of Environmental Protection by 2026.
The Mayor de Blasio Administration voiced Enthusiasm for the First Two pieces of Legislation, though his Representatives at the Council Hearing said the Mayor was already Planning to Sign an Executive Order calling for City Agencies to Engage with Local Leaders to Discuss Possible Future Uses for Rikers.
"In addition to analyzing these options, the city may also conduct other analyses for other potential uses for feasibility on the island as well," said Dan Zarilli, the Mayor's Chief Climate Policy Advisor.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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