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‘Newly formed cracks’ at Chinatown senior complex spark call to halt high-rise-jail construction: ‘Serious concern’
A New York councilman has asked the city’s Department of Buildings to halt construction of a high-rise jail in Chinatown after reporting newly formed cracks at the neighbouring Chung Pak senior housing complex. The request has renewed concerns about whether construction is affecting the building, days after a separate collapse beside a construction site in Brooklyn killed eight people and injured 18.
Chung Pak, at 96 Baxter Street, is a 13-storey building with 88 low-income senior flats, as well as a health clinic and day care. Residents have reported cracks and shifted cinder blocks since at least 2024; the city previously said there was no immediate danger but paused some work after finding damage of unclear cause. A residents’ lawsuit also challenges the jail project’s construction hours, which run up to 18 hours on weekdays and eight hours at weekends; officials say the schedule could help complete the 16-storey jail by 2032, as part of the plan to replace Rikers Island.
In short
- A councilman wants jail construction paused over fresh cracks at a neighbouring senior complex.
- Chung Pak has 88 low-income senior flats, a clinic and a day care.
- Residents are also challenging the jail project’s extended construction hours.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Construction should be halted while the new cracks are independently assessed, because damage near an occupied home for older people could pose serious safety risks and residents deserve confidence that their concerns are being addressed. The earlier pause over damage of unclear cause, together with the recent fatal collapse at another construction site, strengthens the case for precaution until the building’s condition and any link to the works are understood.
The case against
A halt may be disproportionate before inspectors establish that the jail construction caused the cracks or that the building is unsafe; the city has previously found no immediate danger, and residents had reported problems since 2024. Continuing under close monitoring and targeted safety measures could protect residents while avoiding delays to a project intended to replace Rikers Island, particularly if the extended work schedule is needed to meet its planned completion date.