Former Lincoln Correctional Facility will provide temporary shelter for asylum seekers in Harlem
NEW YORK -- A former prison in Harlem is set to house asylum seekers.
New York City officials say the state provided the Lincoln Correctional Facility as a temporary site.
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The building at 110th Street off Central Park has been vacant since 2019 when the state shut it down.
CBS2 has learned city and state officials will work together over the next few days to get the center open.
While many may identify the building with its history as a correctional facility, this new use is actually more aligned with the building's original intended purpose.
Still showing signs of sculptural splendor, the eight-story structure facing Central Park boasts beautiful views. Opened in 1914 under the leadership of Bella Unterberg, the Young Women's Hebrew Association housed 170 young Jewish ladies. The Jewish Women's Association credits this group for creating the concept of a modern social center for the community, where immigrants of the neighborhood found needed resources along with friends and fun.
"I think it's better that they're putting it to something good and useful rather than it just sitting and collecting dust," said next door neighbor Anthony Cacia. "I want to open a nonprofit for immigrants anyway, so this is going to help me see what I can do to help more."
Today's neighbors seem ready to welcome newcomers once again. The building went from serving women to Army soldiers in World War II before becoming the New Lincoln School for 25 years.
Across from what is now known as the Gate of the Exonerated, the state took control and turned the school into a minimum-security work-release program in 1976. It closed in 2019 to reduce costs amid a declining prison population, leaving 392 beds empty ever since.
In March, Gov. Kathy Hochul opened the request for proposals for a redevelopment of the site. The window for applications closed last week. Until a proposal is approved, over the next few days the city and state will work together to move migrants in.
Officials have emphasized there are no "cells" in the Lincoln Correctional Facility building.