Crossroads Juvenile Center and Horizon Juvenile Center New Buildings and Renovations

New York City Administration for Children’s Services

Project Owner

New York City Administration for Children’s Services (in partnership with the NYC Department of Design and Construction)

Project Description

The NYC Administration for Children’s Services operates two juvenile centers for those alleged or adjudicated juvenile offenders or adolescent offenders. The Crossroads Juvenile Center in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and the Horizon Juvenile Center in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx both provide medical, dental, mental health and educational services to those in secure detention. With the planned closing of Rikers Island and the implementation of the Raise the Age program, those 17 and 18 year-olds previously detained on Rikers are now living at the overcrowded and antiquated Horizon and Crossroads facilities. ACS, along with the NYC Department of Design and Construction are now planning, programming and designing extensive additions and renovations to these two facilities. With a new youth-oriented philosophy dedicated to breaking the cycles of recidivism and incarceration, ACS is adding significant educational and vocational training space. Pena-Alcantara is serving as the intermediary between the two public agencies involved as well as the recently-selected design team. Looking at issues of program and fit-out along with recreation and secure mobility, Pena-Alcantara leads biweekly interagency meetings and ACS-leadership ‘Muster’ meetings to assure the cohesive sharing of information and a transparent decision-making process.

Project Cost and Duration

Value of Services: $300,000
Time Period: 2021 – ongoing