View letter to Bloomberg

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. this week urged Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg to consider selling the vacant Brooklyn House of Detention.

In a letter to Bloomberg, Thompson noted that the City is planning to spend $16 million to renovate the building’s exterior after spending about $30 million for building repairs and security.

“Although it is important that we complete emergency repairs to this dilapidated building, a sale of this property would place it on the City’s tax rolls, promote further revitalization of the Atlantic Avenue corridor and bring the City much needed revenue,” Thompson wrote.

Thompson cited the dramatic drop in crime and the decrease in the city’s inmate population as a rationale for the sale of the building, located at 275 Atlantic Avenue.

“Efforts by our City’s law enforcement community have resulted in our inmate population being at its lowest level in 15 years,” Thompson wrote. “Because of this extraordinary development and the fact that this site is located within Downtown Brooklyn’s rapidly developing commercial hub, I believe that the sale of this property may better meet the needs of our City’s residents.”