In response to New York State’s “Raise the Age” legislation, Urbahn was engaged to design major improvements to the Crossroads Juvenile Center. To meet the NYS-mandated October 2018 deadline to move detainees below the age of 18 off Rikers Island, the project involved a two-pronged approach: 1) execute “Make Ready” work on a fast-track basis to hit the initial target date, and 2) develop a “Post October” design to attain aspirational programmatic and environmental improvements. The new operational philosophy is based on strengthening youth within their communities to undergird a trajectory of success. The “Make Ready” work, now complete at Crossroads, included interior renovations to accommodate health and safety upgrades, while zoning outdoor recreation and incorporating amenities to support both recreation and behavior management. The “Post October” phase will include major expansions to address programmatic shortfalls.
