Res. 1657 Title Resolution calling upon the Federal Bureau of Prisons to withdraw its plan to locate a halfway house at 566 West 182nd Street and to consider an alternate location within Manhattan. Body By Council Members Linares, Berman, Carrion, Clarke, DiBrienza, Eldridge, Freed, Koslowitz, Lopez, Marshall, Moskowitz, Perkins, Provenzano, Warden, Watkins, Abel and Fiala; also Council Members Foster, O'Donovan, Rivera, Robles, Rodriguez, Sabini, Spigner, White and Ognibene Whereas, In October, 2000, community leaders in Washington Heights became aware of a plan by the Correctional Services Corporation ("CSC"), pursuant to a contractual agreement with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, to establish a halfway house at 566 West 182nd Street; and Whereas, Residents of 566 West 182nd Street claim that they have been harassed and intimidated by the CSC to vacate the premises to make space available for the planned halfway house; and Whereas, The proposed location of the halfway house is surrounded by seven of the most overcrowded schools in the City and in the heart of a highly congested residential community; and Whereas, It appears that CSC planned to proceed with the halfway house project without soliciting any input from community leaders, the community board, or residents of the community, and it was only after they were confronted by strong opposition to the plan that they agreed to meet with community leaders and address the community board; and Whereas, At a public hearing conducted by Community School Board District 6 on December 5, 2000, the Vice President of CSC represented that Congressman Charles Rangel supported the plan for the halfway house, however the Congressman's Chief of Staff, also in attendance, contradicted this statement, while the school board refuted claims by CSC that they supported the plan; and Whereas, By misrepresenting the support they have received for this project, CSC has undermined their credibility within the Washington Heights community; and Whereas, At public hearings held on November 22, 2000, and December 5, 2000, the vast majority of residents who testified opposed the plan for the halfway house; and Whereas; On November 29, 2000, Community Board 12 adopted a Resolution formally opposing the CSC plan and sent the Resolution to the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and elected officials; and Whereas, It is inappropriate and irresponsible to locate a prison halfway house in a predominantly residential neighborhood containing seven City schools; now, be it, Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Federal Bureau of Prisons to withdraw its plan to locate a halfway house at 566 West 182nd Street and to consider an alternate location within Manhattan. LS# 3745 12/14/00