Rikers Island, which has housed inmates in New York City for nearly a century, stretches almost 415 acres atop a former landfill in the East River. It is half the size of Central Park.

And soon it could be open for development.

Within seven years, the city plans to move thousands of detainees and officers out of Rikers and into new jails across New York City, essentially shutting down the island as part of a sweeping effort to overhaul its corrections system.

In a cramped city, the island will become a rare blank slate — a large parcel of flat, undeveloped land with nearly endless possibilities.

So far, three proposals have emerged as possible next chapters for Rikers: turning it into a renewable energy hub; adding a runway for nearby La Guardia Airport; and building low-cost housing.