Last we heard on the House of Detention issue, Comptroller Thompson had rejected the architectural contract for renovating the jail because it had swelled from $16 million to $31 million; two weeks earlier, the State Supreme Court had ruled that the city could reopen the facility but could not renovate or expand it without performing both a land use review and an environmental review. Yesterday, reports the Brooklyn Eagle, lawyers for the city and the group opposing the reopening and expansion, Stop BHOD, were back in court for a discovery session, where they ended up arguing specifically about the issue of architectural fees. The city claimed that it couldn't do the reviews the court asked it to do without spending millions on preliminary architectural plans first. "It defies common sense to prematurely toss money into a project that has been halted by the courts, is completely unnecessary, and may never be built,” commented Council Member Bill De Blasio. "We can’t get to a place to do those reviews without a preliminary design,” pleased city attorney Christopher King. The case was adjourned until July 9.
Architecture, Discovery Bring HOD Lawsuit Back to Court [Brooklyn Eagle]
Thompson Tosses HOD Architects for Second Time [Brownstoner]
Split Decision on House of Detention [Brownstoner] GMAP
Comptroller Blocks House of Detention Expansion [Brownstoner]
Supreme Court Weighs House of Detention Re-Opening [Brownstoner]
Closing Bell: HOD Rally Coming Next Week [Brownstoner]
Inside the Brooklyn House of Detention [Brownstoner]
Not Enough Cash for the HOD [Brownstoner]
HOD Re-Opens for Business [Brownstoner]
Saying No to House of D [Brownstoner]
