$100 mil. Rikers Island addition completed.

A $100 million, 500-cell addition to the George R. Vierno Center Correctional Facility (GRVC) on Rikers Island has been completed. Commissioned by the City of Now York, the project is part of the City's "Safe Streets" campaign to build additional inmate housing units to relieve prison overcrowding. According to Bill Gove, senior project director, CRSS Constructors, Inc., the design/builder of the project, "It is the first correctional facility in New York City history to be constructed using pre-cast concrete modular cells."

The project consists of two buildings, one with 300 cells, the other with 200 cells. Both housing units are linked to the existing GRVC facility through connecting corridors. Support facilities such as a food service area, a staff locker room addition, and a facility storage building were also added to the existing structure.

Several state-of-the-art systems were installed. These include:

* A "David" Video Motion Detection Security System which can detect movement at low light levels. The system interfaces via fiber optic cabling with a central control station three-quarters of a mile away;

* A pre-action fire control system with sprinkler heads and smoke detectors in each cell. This system has a 60-second delay feature to permit detection of false alarms;

* A smoke exhaust system to purge the building of smoke in the case of fire. Both the fire safety and smoke purge systems are connected to the central control panel on the first floor of each building;

* A 900kw and a 625kw emergency back-up system capable of providing enough power to operate the total facility during emergencies.

State of the Art

Food Delivery System

Another key feature is an innovative re-thermalization cook/chill kitchen. This new technology, similar to that used by airlines, involves the preparation of massive amounts of food off-premises. These meals are then delivered on special microwavable trays in carts for storage in the kitchen's freezer or refrigerator. Prior to mealtime, the trays are reheated in special Combi ovens - combination steam and electric heat - and then wheeled on carts up to the dayroom serveries, where they are kept warm until distributed to the inmates. In this way food is brought to the inmates, alleviating the necessity of moving inmates from the housing area to the cafeteria.

Methane Abatement 

As the project was built entirely on existing landfill, CRSS was faced with the challenge of devising a method for dissipating possible emissions of toxic and explosive methane-containing gases. The solution - an innovative methane-abatement and gas detection system installed beneath the buildings' piling foundations and structural slabs.

To avoid infiltration of methane gas into the inmate housing units, a protective impermeable plastic film membrane was placed underneath the floor slab of each building. In this manner, as methane gas rises up from the ground, it is contained under the membrane, and evacuated through an air exhaust system. The protocols for the abatement system were developed during construction and represent the first time this technology was used on Rikers' Island.

To augment the abatement system, a gas detection system was installed to detect possible methane gas seepage into the building due to a compromise in the membrane. Sensors located in the first floor slab and the elevator shaft - any area where methane might accumulate - alert operators in the control room of the presence of escaped gases. Once the location of the leakage has been determined, personnel are dispatched to assess and correct the situation.

Pre-Cast Concrete Modules

The project's partnering team consisted of CRSS as design/builder and construction manager, New York City Department of General Services' Rikers Island Task Force headed by Richard Banks from the Mayor's Office on Construction, and the New York City Department of Corrections.

To meet the City's strict mandate that the project be completed within 20 months, the team chose pre-cast concrete construction with modular pre-cast cells and pre-cast exterior facade over more conventional techniques.

This application proved to be most successful in meeting the imposed completion date of this schedule-driven job. CRSS completed the project 26 days ahead of schedule. Total construction costs were $87 million.