Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, campaigns in the Chinatown neighborhood of Manhattan on October 3. Mike Segar/Reuters

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday if elected mayor he would cancel the closure of Rikers Island – New York City’s infamous jail complex – in favor of a plan to demolish and rebuild on the existing site.

Cuomo, who is running as an independent, made the announcement before a gathering of business leaders Wednesday at the Crain’s New York Business forum in Manhattan, where he highlighted his executive experience.

“Let’s make a major start by stopping a major debacle,” Cuomo said. “The new jail construction to replace Rikers Island, the writing is on the wall, it promises to be New York City’s big ditch

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