Meet the Really Big House on Atlantic Avenue

The city's Economic Development Corp. has issued a "Request for Expressions of Interest" for the Brooklyn House of Detention (AKA the Jail with Retail) on Atlantic Avenue.

The RFEI, as it's known, talks about a 165,000 square foot jail expansion for 720 inmate beds and two towers with 238,500 square feet of residential or commercial space. Also an "urban plaza" at ground level and, of course, ground floor retailing. And "dormitory-style" cells. There's a nice rundown of the possible future at the Brooklyn Eagle and you can catch the RFEI page itself here. The new-ish blog McBrooklyn also has a post up about it.

It is the start of what is certain to be a long and contentious process about the jail's future.

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Free Rooms with View: Atlantic Ave. Jail Expansion Update