Overview
- A Manhattan Supreme Court judge issued a temporary restraining order Monday that bars after‑hours and late‑night construction at the Chinatown jail site while the court considers a preliminary injunction.
- The order permits crews to continue work during the site’s regular permitted hours but stops overnight drilling, pounding, lighting, and other activity that plaintiffs say has disrupted sleep and health.
- Residents and local groups sued after the city approved extended hours that allowed work from 6 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and added Saturday daytime work, arguing the expansion lacked proper environmental review and exceeded the city’s authority.
- City officials have warned that limiting extended hours could delay the borough‑based jail program meant to replace Rikers and increase costs by large sums, while the city says it has installed sound blankets and monitors to reduce impacts.
- The parties return to court on Dec. 1, and the ruling leaves short‑term scheduling and budget uncertainty for the project while the legal challenge proceeds and neighbors assess ongoing community impacts.