This article captures the timeline well regarding MOCA.
https://hyperallergic.com/591414/museum-of-chinese-in-america-chinatown-art-brigade/

Search for the words "record straight"

September 27, 2018:
Nancy expressed discontent of MOCA being displaced by the jail at the City Public Scoping session and how they were not consulted and they got zero dollars of the $300MM: https://vimeo.com/460262610

December 18, 2018:
DeBlasio and Gale Brewer held a closed door meeting with several key people and invited Nancy. To everyone's surprise, Nancy bluntly stated she needed $32MM. People laughed when she said this because it was so forthright (and quid pro quo):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgAdO30wXDU

This was also documented:
https://tribunecontentagency.com/article/the-jail-money-trap/
Search for the words "that December"

October 2019:
City Council unveiled the new jail plan. Mayor’s Office issued a Points of Agreement letter to the public, which explicitly states (bottom of page 16) that the commitments to MOCA “related directly to the borough-based jails system” will feature “$35M including $5M in FY20; $15M in FY21; $15M in FY22” to “support the acquisition and construction of a permanent museum and a new performing arts space for Chinese music, dance, and theater groups at 215 Centre Street.”
http://council.nyc.gov/data/wp-content/uploads/sites/73/2019/10/BBJ_Points_of_Agreement_Rikers.pdf
(bottom of page 16)

I think the issue was, protesters asked MOCA to publicly denounce the jail plan. MOCA refused. MOCA stated the money had nothing to do with the jail (despite the document above). Only after receiving the $$ did MOCA publicly state they were against the plan. But of course, by then, it was too late and construction of the jails were already under way.

This is my understanding. I may be completely wrong about this, but it seems very straightforward to me. It is unfortunate because I think MOCA provides a great service for Asian Americans and preserving our heritage.