On his final day in office Comptroller Bill Thompson approved a contract that will make possible the controversial expansion and reopening of the Brooklyn House of Detention in Boerum Hill.
Before then, Thompson had thrice refused to register the $32-million contract for the renovation of the prison at Atlantic Avenue and Smith Street, citing the increasing cost of the project. Mayor Bloomberg returned fire by suing the comptroller’s office, alleging that Thompson shirked his civic duty by ignoring a mandate to give the $440-million plan the green light.But now that Thompson has rubber-stamped the renovation contract, the mayor’s office has withdrawn its suit But don’t open up the double-locked cellblocks just yet. Before the city can make good on its plan to turn the long-shuttered House of Detention into a 769-bed prison, city officials say they will reach a settlement with community groups.