By Shirley Ng
AsAmNews Staff Writer
Activist and native Chinatown resident Don Lee holds up a computer generated rendering of the proposed new jail on 80 Centre Street created by Chinatown resident and businessman Jan Lee at a community meeting in Chinatown at the First Chinese Baptist Church on 21 Pell Street.
The meeting in Chinatown attracted no supporters of the proposed new jail and only about 15 people.
The rendering held up by Lee shows how tall the proposed new jail will actually be, taller by several floors compared to Chinatown’s 44 story residential tower, Confucius Plaza.
According to reports from the recent Town Hall meeting a week ago at PS124, imagery of the jail minimized the impact on the quality of life for Chinatown by making the jail appear smaller than it actually is.
There is also talk an underground parking garage would also be needed, which residents fear would mean more construction, street closures and detours in an already congested area of Chinatown.
Karlin Chan, resident and activist said, “This is not a Chinatown fight, but a city wide fight.” Chan instead would prefer prison reform to alleviate a crowded prison, suggesting no jail time for lesser crimes like petty theft.
Henry Chang , who was at the meeting and also at last week’s Town Hall meeting said yesterday, that the proposed jail will appear to be a “luxury high rise” compared to the typical residence in Chinatown.
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