Migrant tent city to be moved to Randall's Island

NEW YORK - Late Monday evening, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that a tent complex to give temporary housing for hundreds of migrants would be moved from Orchard Beach in the Bronx to Randall's Island.

The mayor cited flooding concerns and better access to public transportation.

The move came after objections were raised about the original location.  The mayor says the move will not delay the opening of the complex.

Read updates here. The original reporting is below.

________

Tensions are growing over the temporary shelter for asylum seekers being built in the parking lot at Orchard Beach in the Bronx.

Some objections come from activists who say the area is prone to flooding and that the shelter won't be adequate, especially in winter. South Bronx Mutual Aid posted a video on Saturday showing flooding in the area just from light rain. 

Other objections come from people who live in nearby neighborhoods. A group gathered outside the fence on Monday to announce they will be filing a lawsuit and a temporary restraining order.

This shelter location in Orchard Beach is set to house around a thousand migrants in five temperature-controlled tents. It is supposed to open in the next few days. The National Guard is expected to be on site when it does.

More than 14,000 asylum seekers have come to New York City since the spring. So far, the city has been forced to open 39 emergency shelters. Mayor Eric Adams is close to striking a deal on housing migrants on cruise ships, according to reports.