Neighbors worry about their homes during jail demolition in Chinatown

CHINATOWN, Manhattan (PIX11) -- Crews are tearing down old jail facilities to build a new one south of Canal Street in Chinatown, Manhattan.

A partial stop work order was issued this week at the site by the city after inspectors investigated some neighborhood concerns.

Residents and workers in the building next door are worried about noise and some cracks in the walls. Chung Pak is home to senior living, small businesses and a health center.

Demolition on the work site cannot resume within 10 feet of the building’s wall. Other tasks can be performed by the contractor.

The city said the issues are not a threat to the building’s structure.

Cheng Foi Lin has lived in the affordable housing complex for nine years. The last year has been tough for her and her neighbors during demolition.

“The floor is always shaking and it feels like an earthquake is coming,” she said.

On Friday, they rallied outside their home with the construction site in view.

“We are taught to respect elders. They are being disrespected here,” said New York Assembly Member Grace Lee.

They want an independent monitor to be set up and air filters in the area.

“They had a federal monitor for Rikers. Why can’t we have it here in Chinatown?” asked Jan Lee.

The city said environmental monitoring is happening. Air quality, emissions, and vibration/noise levels are tracked and reported bimonthly.

“If there was a building on the Upper East Side or West Side, they would get an order for a full stop,” said New York City Council member Christopher Marte, who represents the area.

In a statement to PIX11 News, a spokesperson for the New York City Department of Buildings wrote that contractors are working diligently to assess damage and make repairs as soon as possible.

"We are confident that there is no immediate danger or threat to safety at Chung Pak. When this construction project started, the building had some existing damage. When a recent inspection found additional, non-structural damage with no clear cause, DOB halted some of the construction work right away, and the contractor immediately began to evaluate next steps. We will continue to work with Chung Pak's management to ensure contractors can make these repairs promptly," the Department of Buildings statement said.

The city said the timeline for the project "will not be significantly impacted."

Rikers Island is legally required to close by 2027 and be replaced by four borough-based jails, including the Chinatown location. The plan is part of a city law passed by the City Council in 2019.