Ghost Hunter Explores Roosevelt Island's Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital - Not Known If Any Spirit Voices Heard

You Tube Video Of Ghost Hunter Visits Roosevelt Island Small Pox Hospital (Part 1)

Roosevelt Island's Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital at Southpoint Park continues to hold an odd attraction for many residents and visitors alike. Bloggers such as Bespoke Affairs write:

It's been awhile since I have visited Roosevelt Island...something about it has always creeped me out (a bit). Even before I ever became a "wedding planner", I was oddly drawn to Renwick Ruins and the idea of doing a photo shoot there...

...Any photographers out there want to jump the fence and risk getting arrested? Well...I don't want to get arrested!!...

You might not want to try and jump the fence to get a closer look because something unfortunate may have happened to folks at Urban Omnibus that they don't want to talk about:

... wicked cool ruins of the Renwick Smallpox hospital – we learned the hard way not to try to sneak in – on the southern tip of the island....

Ghost Stories and Haunted Places adds to the Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital spookiness and mystery:

...the island was also the site of a Smallbox Hospital, which housed small pox patients from 1856 until 1886. The intense suffering that went on in this building added to it's ruined state have built numerous rumors about it's ghostly activity. The ruined hospital is now known as the Renwick Ruin and is brightly lit at night giving it a ghostly glow that only adds to stories....

Then there was the Ghost Hunter, Fox News radio's Spencer Hughes who, after waiting in the early morning hours before the Southpoint Park gate opened:

You Tube Video Of Ghost Hunter Visits Roosevelt Island's Southpoint Park

found the "motherlode" at Southpoint's Renwick Ruins:

...A sign explains how this was home to those spilled over from poorhouses, prisons, and “lunatic” asylums. It opened in 1832.
I conducted some respectful EVP sessions (looking for electronic voice phenomenon, or spirit voices…voices not heard with the ear but picked up on recording devices) before continuing the short walk to the Ruins of Renwick.
What an amazing site. It looks like a gothic castle just sitting there, decaying from the passage of time. An effort is under way to stabilize the structure before it collapses completely.
I did some more EVP work along the perimeter, just on the other side of the chain link fence that keeps the curious from breaking their neck exploring the actual building....

You Tube Video Of Ghost Hunter Visits Roosevelt Island Small Pox Hospital (Part 2)

That's why some people are fascinated by Roosevelt Island and the Renwick Ruins.

One of the items on the Agenda for Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation's (RIOC) February 18 meeting has to do with the stabilization of the Renwick Ruins Smallpox Hospital. According to RIOC's Agenda, the item is:

2. Authorization to Enter into Amendment of Contract with Alternate Construction Concepts LLC for the Renwick Ruin Stabilization Project (Board Action Required)

Roosevelt Island Resident & Pianist Roy Eaton Plays Meditative Chopin & Joyful Joplin At Sunday Afternoon Concert - Will He Play Beefaroni Jingle Too?

Image of Roy Eaton at Roosevelt Island's Good Shepherd Chapel from NY Times

As part of the Sunday afternoon Church of the Good Shepherd Concert Series, renowned Roosevelt Island resident and pianist Roy Eaton will be perfoming:

The Meditative Chopin and Joyful Joplin

starting at 2:30 PM at the Church located at 543 Main Street. A sample of Mr. Eaton's work.

Mr. Eaton was recently one of the subjects profiled in a NY Times article about the Sugar Hill neighborhood of Manhattan where many accomplished African Americans grew up as children.

According to the NY Times:

... The son of a taxi mechanic, Roy Eaton was a childhood piano prodigy who became a trailblazer in advertising. His friends on the block included the artist and writer Faith Ringgold; Cecelia Hodges, a Princeton professor and actress; and Sonny Rollins, the “saxophone Colossus,” who is still touring....

and:

... His growth as a pianist continued through college, though his concert career petered out after he served in the military during the Korean War.

He ended up as a copywriter and composer at an advertising agency, a rarity for a black man in the 1950s. He wrote jingles, including the one for Beefaroni, a pop-culture standard burned into a generation’s collective subconscious. (“We’re having Beefaroni. It’s made with macaroni. ...”)

None of his accomplishments were unusual for him, he said, even if others thought they were.

“I went through my life as if racial prejudice did not exist,” he said.

Now the father of 7-year old twins, he is reminded daily of his own early energy. The piano he learned on rests in the softly lighted sanctuary of the Episcopal church next door to his home on Roosevelt Island. In his apartment, the walls feature portraits of him in performance, as well as a quilt by his friend Faith, with women dancing around the George Washington Bridge.

“I am still that little boy that sees an unlimited horizon,” he said....

Great article. Read the whole thing.

RIOC Issues Weekend Roosevelt Island Parking Advisory Due To Expected Winter Snow Storm

Received this advisory from RIOC:

Due to the upcoming winter storm please be advised there will be no parking on Main Street from 6:00 P.M. today, February 5th to 9:00 A.M. Monday, February 8th. This rule is in effect to allow for the passage of emergency vehicles and snow removal.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Roosevelt Island Residents Still Unable To Park By Empty Street and Lot On Queens Side Of Goldwater Hospital But Some Park In Tennis Club Lot

Empty Weekend Street On Queens Side of Goldwater Hospital

A post from last October reported:

Some Southtown residents living in Roosevelt Island's Riverwalk buildings are not very happy with the lack of parking spaces close to their apartments. They complain of very few street parking spots and being too far from the Motorgate Parking garage for it to be convenient.

As a result, they have been parking on the Queens side street adjacent to Goldwater Hospital on weekends, when the street is nearly empty of employees and visitors, but have recently been advised of a decision by Goldwater to prohibit weekend parking on the that side of their facility....

Soon thereafter, RIRA President Frank Farance spoke with RIOC VP of Operations Fernando Martinez about the parking situation at Goldwater. Mr. Farance wrote in his October 9 RIRA message:

... Martinez is working with the Coler-Goldwater hospital to make some of the south campus employee parking available, which mostly benefits Southtown, Sportspark, and the tennis bubble.

Empty Weekend Goldwater Hospital Parking Lot

Are Roosevelt Island residents now allowed to park at the Queens side Goldwater Hospital Parking lot on weekends? I asked RIOC President Steve Shane:

Has there been any update to the weekend parking situation on the Queens side of Goldwater Hospital. I could be wrong but I seem to recall you indicating that a discussion was going on with the Hospital that would let residents park there on weekends. Several Riverwalk residents have been asking me about this and wondering if they can park there on weekends.

Mr. Shane replied by forwarding this statement from Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Chief Keith Guerra.

No. Permission for residents to park there has not been granted. I believe your last response was that folks park at their own risk. If we receive a complaint,PSD will enforce.

Mr. Shane commented:

Fyi. Not a clear statement, but it is what it is.

Some Riverwalk residents are also illegally parking in the grass lot across from the Commons Area and Bar that is supposed to be reserved for the Tennis Club patrons during the Tram outage but which has been used by the Tennis Club for the past year even though the Tram has been in operation.

Southtown Parking Lot Used For Exclusive Benefit of Tennis Club

RIOC Management Speaks With Roosevelt Island Riverwalk Residents On Tram Shutdown Transportation Changes And RIRA On 2010-2011 Budget

Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) President Steve Shane, Chief Financial Officer Steve Chironis and VP Of Operations Fernando Martinez were all busy last night making presentations to members of the Roosevelt Island community.

The first up was Mr. Martinez. He was invited by Related Management to speak on the transportation changes planned for Roosevelt Island following the temporary shutdown of the Tram during it's Modernization Program. Mr. Martinez spoke before a gathering of Southtown's Riverwalk residents in the rooftop Party Room of Riverwalk Crossings, the new rental building adjacent to the Tram, at 405 Main Street.

RIOC's VP Of Operations Fernando Martinez Speaking To Riverwalk Residents

Mr. Martinez explained that the Tram shutdown is scheduled to begin on March 1, last for six months and resume operations in early September. There is a possibility that one of the cabins may be in operation a little earlier, middle of August, but that is not definite. During the tram shutdown, RIOC will be providing Red Bus Shuttle rush hour service to the Queens Plaza subway station every half hour with pick ups at Southtown and Gristedes stops. During non-rush hour week days and weekends, there will be Red Bus Shuttle service to Second Avenue in Manhattan. Here is more information on RIOC's plan for Red Bus shuttle service from earlier post.

Mr. Martinez also talked about the results of the survey seeking residents interest in a temporary rush hour ferry service during the Tram Outage. The survey results were still being tabulated but of the approximately 1000 responses received, about 50% were in favor of the service and of those 50%, 30% (150) said they would pay the projected fare of $3 and find the route useful for their commute. The projected cost of the temporary ferry service is said by the Operator to be $5,000 per day. Do the math - even with a proposed $100,000 subsidy from RIOC - the economics don't seem to work unless RIOC (or some other entity) is willing to subsidize the service to a much larger dollar amount.

Residents attending the meeting asked questions about increased F Train subway service during the tram outage and Mr. Martinez explained that RIOC has been meeting with the MTA but that no additional subway service is to be expected. More detail on the MTA's response to Roosevelt Island residents request for increased subway service is available from this earlier post. One new Roosevelt Island resident recounted a conversation she had with an MTA official about the problems she would encounter getting to her doctor with the Tram Outage. She was told by the MTA official that she should have done more research about Roosevelt Island before moving here.

RIOC's Fernando Martinez Answering Residents Questions On Tram Shutdown

Other residents were concerned about the qualifications of POMA, the Tram Modernization contractor and whether all of the necessary construction and traffic permitting would be in place prior to the Tram going out of service. Mr. Martinez assured them that POMA was qualified and that all permits would be in place before the Tram was taken out of service.

Another resident wanted to know what the tram outage would do to the assesed value of his condominium. The Related representative said she was not an appraiser and could not comment on this issue.`

I think all agreed that Mr. Martinez made an excellent presentation. I asked if he has made similar presentations to other Roosevelt Island buildings and he reported that he has met with representatives from all of the Roosevelt Island buildings management but that Related was the only management company to ask him to speak to their residents.

Later in the evening, Mr. Shane and Mr. Chironis appeared before the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council to report on and take questions concerning RIOC's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2010 -2011.

RIOC President Steve Shane Speaking To RIRA On Budget

Mr. Shane explained that RIOC is legally required to prepare a 5 year budget but that at the suggestion of RIRA has extended the forecast to 15 years and noted that such projections are subject to uncertainty, more so the further out in years one attempts to project. "Stuff happens" Mr. Shane said, which can change the assumptions upon which the budget is based.

According to Mr. Shane, RIOC has an annual operating budget of $18-19 million with revenue coming from residential fees, ground rent, commercial retail rent, tramway, parking and other sources. No operating funds come from the City or State of New York. (See Page 5 of Budget for RIOC's revenue and expense projections). Mr. Chironis noted that to date, the recession has not adversely impacted RIOC's budget.

RIOC CFO Steve Chironis Speaking to RIRA on Budget

Where the recession could hurt RIOC is in the capital budget because so much of that budget is based upon revenue coming from Hudson/Related completing Southtown with the construction of Riverwalk Buildings 7-9. If that does not happen then there could be big trouble for RIOC capital projects.

Regarding Southtown Buildings 7 - 9, RIOC's proposed FY 2010-11 budget states (Page 9) reports:

Southtown 7, 8, and 9:
In 2006, the Southtown developers exersized an option at a cost of $2,000,000 to extend the Construction Commencement Date for all buildings of Southtown 5–9 from no later than December 31, 2010 to December 31, 2012. Management believes that given current market conditions there is a possibility that the development of Southtown 7, 8, and 9 may not happen, negatively affecting projected cash reserves. Below is the effect on projected cash reserves, if the development of Southtown 7, 8, and 9 were not to go forward. It is management's belief that if Southtown 7, 8, and 9 were to not proceed in the time period, there would be other subsequent development opportunities after the economic downturn cycle reverses its course.

Both Mr. Shane and Mr. Chironis did equally as well as Mr. Martinez in their presentatins.

Here is more information on RIOC Budget from earlier post. The Roosevelt Island Residents Association Town Hall Meeting scheduled for 8 PM on February 10 at the Good Shepherd Community Center will focus on RIOC's Budget as will RIOC's Town Hall meeting immediately following the February 18 RIOC Board of Directors meeting, also at the Good Shepherd Community Center. The RIOC Board will vote on the budget at their March meeting.

We also learned from RIOC's presentation that, to date, there have been 64 condo units sold and 13 units in contract for the new 122 unit Hudson/Related Riverwalk Court building at 415 Main street as well as half of the units rented an the adjacent Riverwalk Crossings.

Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 PTA Question & Answer Information Session On 2/6 - Do You Know What Teachers Make?

You Tube Video Of What Makes A Good Teacher

Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 PTA is holding a Question and Answer information session for anyone interested in learning about the school on Saturday February 6 at 1 PM. According to the PTA:

Interested in learning more about our local Island school? Please join us for an informational session, with parents of current PS/IS 217 students available to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Also, on Monday February 8 at 8:45 AM, the first of three morning tours of the school will be conducted.

Click On Image To Enlarge

A recent parent review of the school from Inside Schools.org reports:

Our daughter went to PS/IS 217 for pre-K and now goes to K. The school has great facilities. The staff is highly qualified. The class sizes are smaller than in most other public schools. The school offers in-class music & arts programs, and after school clubs (math, science, chess, drama, Spanish etc.) Cons: G&T program at PS/IS 217 is relatively new. Also, PS/IS 217 is very international. Students come from 60 countries, & many of them are children of United Nations employees, who learn English as a 2nd language = lower average academic scores. These families can move to another country at any time, so the classes are not as uniform or as stable as some people may like. Location is not ideal for Manhattan families. People complain about the PTA, but from my perspective it is very active this year. And the administration is open to all PTA initiatives. Lower grades parents asked for a foreign language program, and it only took 2 months for the school to get it set up.

Here is the NYC Department of Education online portal for Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217.

Another source of information is this new blog - The Roosevelt Island School G & T Class Blog which also includes links to other class blogs.

Beautiful Roosevelt Island Snow Dusting Leaves Snow Family On Riverwalk Commons

Image of Snow Good Shepherd Church From Roosevelt Island 360 On Twitpic

We had a bit of snowfall on Roosevelt Island last night and early this morning. Roosevelt Island 360 captured this view and tweeted:

Good Shepherd Community Ctr on Roosevelt Island this snowy morning.

Ms. blOndie must like snow too because she tweeted:

Morning People. I woke up this morning looked outside and said Damn I love living on Roosevelt Island. It's really beautiful.

Not much left of the snow now except for this Snow Family on the Riverwalk Commons between buildings 4 & 5


made by Freda and her Mom.

Until the next Roosevelt Island snowstorm

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Meeting Tonight - Come Find Out What Is Going On

Image of December 2009 RIRA Meeting

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council will be meeting tonight. The RIRA Common Council is composed of residents elected from each of the Roosevelt Island buildings. If you are interested in learning what's going on here on Roosevelt Island - Come On Down!

Prior to the start of the meeting there is an opportunity for the public to present any issues of concern to the Council. Have not received the Agenda yet but when I do will post it.

UPDATE 2/6 - Never received the RIRA agenda but here's some of what happened.

Rotarian Foundation Fundraiser In Support Of Haitian Earthquake Victims At Roosevelt Island's Riverwalk Bar & Grill Thursday 2/4 At 7 PM

Roosevelt Island's Riverwalk Bar & Grill will be hosting a fundraiser for victims of the recent Haitian Earthquake. The fundraiser will take place at 425 Main Street on Thursday February 4 at 7 PM.

I asked owner Jonathan Hoo where the money raised will be going. Mr. Hoo replied:

Glad you asked!
All the money raised will be going to the Rotary Foundation's Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. 100% of money earmarked goes directly to supplies and direct relief and rebuilding effort on the ground. We are very excited for the turnout with 100+ confirmed already coming from off island. Hopefully the residents and workers of Roosevelt Island will make a nice showing as well!

According to the Rotary Foundation:

Rotary clubs and districts worldwide are mobilizing resources to deliver urgently needed relief to the millions affected by Haiti's devastating earthquake.

District 7020, which includes Haiti, has flown in 70 planes filled with more than 60,000 pounds of medical equipment and supplies into the cities of Pignon and Port-de-Paix to bypass logistical problems in the hard-hit capital of Port-au-Prince.

The United Nations estimates that more than half of the buildings in the capital have collapsed. About 200,000 people are dead and millions more homeless...

and:

...ShelterBox has already delivered more than 3,300 containers to Haiti, with another 1,000 or more scheduled to be deployed.

"This is the largest, quickest, and most complex deployment in our history," says John Leach, head of operations for ShelterBox. "We organized across four countries to get ShelterBoxes to the people of Haiti quickly."

Each box contains a tent that houses 10 people as well as a stove, blankets, and other essential items.

Doctors have been using supplies from the containers to treat the injured. Hospitals in the capital city are using the tents to provide emergency shelter for postoperative patients....

You Tube Video Of Shelter Boxes For Haiti Via the Rotarians

RIOC Director Jonathan Kalkin On How Technology Can Improve Roosevelt Island's Transportation Problems

MTA Chairman Jay Walder Speaks On Transit Technology

Roosevelt Island Board Director Jonathan Kalkin reports on ways to utilize technology solutions in order to improve Roosevelt Island transportation needs. From Mr. Kalkin:

Roosevelt Island has many transportation concerns that can be alleviated through the use of technology. I have been exploring some new and interesting ways to make travel on and off the Island a more pleasant and efficient experience.

Red Bus

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) has direct control over the Red Bus used regularly by almost every Islander. There have been many complaints about the reliability, the bunching that results in service gaps, the route, and the frequency. Some residents argue that we need a firm schedule; others respond that a schedule would increase reliability but reduce frequency.

Both are correct. With increased frequency, you get increased maintenance and operating costs and an increased potential for bunching. With a schedule, you get fewer buses per hour. Some argue that the bus should be free, but the system costs about a million dollars a year, and there’s a deficit even with the present fare.

Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking can improve the system. I pushed for GPS tracking technology as a member of the RIOC Operations Committee. It has been installed, and you can access it on the internet or a mobile device at NEXTBUS.COM (click on Roosevelt Island). You can see when the next bus will arrive at your stop, and time your departure or decide to walk. On a mobile device, you can make the wait-or-walk judgment on the fly. (For cell phones without browsers, the information is available via text message.)

Countdown clocks at the bus stops can help, too. The configuration of Main Street makes it difficult to see whether a bus is coming, but a clock can help you decide whether to wait or walk. Thanks to funding arranged by Assemblymember Micah Kellner, we should have such clocks soon.

Tap cards, which are like EZ-Pass, can also help. Boarding, you pay by tapping your card on a terminal, even without taking it out of your purse or wallet. The system can be designed to alert the driver if someone passes without paying, so that both doors can be used for boarding. Ridership statistics pro- vided by such a system can help us apply for funding for further improvement of the overall system. Merchants can offer discounts for owners of these cards to increase patronage at their stores.

Subway

Improving the Red Bus system is only a start. Once you’ve reached the Tram or subway station, you may find it hard to board.

The MTA says we have enough trains per hour to accommodate our population. In its recent study, Columbia University agreed. But both noticed that trains are often late and, when the system slows down, there are not enough trains.

The good news is that much of this is on its way to being fixed, but the bad news is that it’s going to take years. Signal systems on the F line are at least a half- century old, but are “newer” than on other lines. They won’t be upgraded anytime soon, but it is part of their capital plan.

Human Behavior

Most people need to get to work by about 9:00 a.m., which creates the morning jam that we call rush-hour. Twenty minutes earlier, the Manhattan platform is not yet a clogged mess, but getting people to leave a bit earlier is difficult without an incentive.

Recognizing this, many cities use congestion pricing, charging more at peak travel times. Our new MTA chairman, Jay Walder, adopted this approach in London. Here, it can help spread the load, too.

The MTA also noted that people wait in one small area of the subway platform rather then spreading out. Cars fill unevenly, and boarding is more difficult. Signs can advise passengers to move to the part of the platform served by cars that are less jammed.

Commuters should also contact the managers of their stations about problems. The necessary e-mail addresses are on the MTA website, and I’ve suggested posting them in the stations as well.

Signals

When the MTA updates the current F train signal system, it may introduce countdown clocks on the platforms. Once they are in place, they can post other information, too.

Information about elevator availability, for example, would help the disabled know in advance what problems they might encounter down the line.

The disabled would also be helped by signs at wheelchair-eye-level (with the traditional blue and white colors for such signs), and signs showing the proper way to help a wheelchair passenger board (backward) would be helpful. And the MTA should mark the floors of the subway cars and the wheelchair loading area with signage to reserve space for wheelchair passengers.

Funding

Partial funding and ideas should come from private industry and open-source (free) software com- petitions. The initial GPS Red Bus installations were funded by the developer of The Octagon. Verizon FIOS will provide the internet infrastructure that will power much of the technology discussed in this article. Subway screens can be designed with open- source software competitions, and can be supported with on-screen advertising. Private industry can innovate at a greater speed than government bureaucracy.

Technology won’t solve all our transportation problems, but it can make our commute easier as the Island’s population grows. We were once at the forefront of technology in New York City, and there is no reason why we can’t lead again.

More information here on how to contact the MTA's Subway Line Managers including the one for Roosevelt Island's F Train.

Mr. Kalkin's report also appeared in the 1/30 Main Street WIRE as part of a series on the future of Roosevelt Island.

Junior Press Secretary And Receptionist Jobs Available With Roosevelt Island's State Senator Jose Serrano

Image of Senator Serrano Speaking At Roosevelt Island Disaster Preparedness Event

Received the following message form State Senator Jose Serrano's office whose district includes Roosevelt Island.

I am trying to spread the word that we are looking to hire two full time staff members for Senator Serrano's District Office. We are looking for a bilingual Receptionist and a Bilingual Junior Press Person. The postings are attached. Please help me spread the word to anyone you feel might be interested.

Click on images below for more information about these jobs with Senator Serrano. I understand that they would like to hire someone from Roosevelt Island.

The deadline to apply for these positions is February 12. Please address all inquires to serranohr@gmail.com

Good Luck.

Gristedes Owner John Catsimatidis Promises Improvement At Roosevelt Island Gristedes Supermarket - Will It Happen?

Roosevelt Island Gristedes Image From Roosevelt Island 360

Gristedes is the only supermarket on Roosevelt Island. It has been the subject of contstant complaints by residents over a long period of time including outdated grocery items on the shelf, exorbitant prices, dirty aisles and pigeons walking around the store among others. Readers of this 2007 post asking whether the increased competition from the new Roosevelt Island Duane Reade would improve the quality of service at Gristedes commented:

• Gristedes has always been a major disappointment long before I moved to Roosevelt Island. Their stores are by far the most disgusting, confusing and over priced grocery stores in NYC.
• The only time I set foot into our Gristedes is when I really need something that I don't have at home or ran out of.
• Does Gristede's deliberately try to stock the worst possible produce that it can get? There's a reason why Fresh Direct chose Roosevelt Island as its pilot. If that store didn't get a fantastic break on the rent, it would have been out of business long ago.

Fast forward to as recently as last week and the complaints continue. For example, a newly arrived Roosevelt Island resident reports:

...We use Fresh Direct, too, which is amazing, but it's just a drag when you just need to buy milk or orange juice at Gristedes and have to worry that it's been left out of refrigeration too long and spoiled. Definitely bought things there before that had gone bad and needed to be thrown away. Here's hoping it gets better!...

Well, things may be changing at the Roosevelt Island Gristedes.

RIOC President Steve Shane reported in his 1/11/10 Message (Item 10):

Gristedes: We met on site with John Catsimatidis, the owner, and his staff to discuss operations of the store. Gristedes has a new buying arrangement with Shoprite, both allegedly improving quality and reducing shelf price. We discussed a marketing plan by web site or otherwise as there is no easy medium for communicating to the specific buying public on the Island. Does everyone know that seniors get a 10% discount on Tuesdays? Revitalizing Gristedes would be good for everyone.

Followed by Mr. Shane's 1/25 Message (Item 8):

Gristedes: We met on site with John Catsimatidis, the owner, and his staff to discuss operations of the store. An open letter to Island residents is published in this edition of the WIRE. If they come through with their promises, should be a benefit for everyone.

And during an exchange of email messages between Gristedes representative Walter D'Agostino and myself, Mr. D'Agostino sends the following message to Roosevelt Island community:

Gristedes is very proud to have served and to continue to serve the residents of and visitors to Roosevelt Island for over 20 years.
Gristedes takes its' role in the lives of the Roosevelt Island residents very seriously and makes every effort to ensure them successful shopping experience.
If for any reason Gristedes does not live up to its' responsibility I would welcome the opportunity to take actions to correct the situation.
I am in the store on a regular basis or if it is more convenient please feel free to contact me via e-mail (wdagostino@gristedes.com) or on my cell.(917 567 8237)

and:

1. Gristedes has partnered with ShopRite and will be increasing the quantity and variety of ShopRite items carried in the store.
2. Gristedes offers free delivery to Island residents.$
3. Gristedes offers two Senior Discount days, Tuesday and Wednesday. 10% discount to all Seniors.
4. Gristedes has expanded the Organic and Natural offering in all departments.
5. Gristedes has upgraded prepared foods and Grab 'n Go. 6. Gristedes accepts phone orders 212-371-2680.
7. Gristedes is open everyday from 7 AM to Midnight
8. Every item in the store is being removed from the shelves and checked for quality and proper dates. This will be accomplished by the end of February.

Let's see what happens and hope that the Roosevelt Island Gristedes does improve. After all, they did install a $1 a night Blockbuster DVD rental kiosk.


On another Roosevelt Island Gristedes topic, a reader of this recent post on the Grog Wine Shop asks:

The comment, above, about the rent and the long lease, makes me wonder about the deal Gristede's has.

According to RIOC's Proposed Fiscal Year 2010-11 budget ( Page 11), the Roosevelt Island Gristedes is located at 685 Main Street. It occupies 25,172 square feet and is paying an annual rent of $7 a square foot on a lease that terminates in 2032. For the 2011 budget year, Gristedes is paying an annual rent of $180,000 and is projected to pay 202,000 for the years 2012 -2016.

Roosevelt Island Burgalry Solved and Much Better Communications Between Public Safety Department And RIRA

Image Of Burglary Silhouette From Secured Surroundings

The Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department reports:

On Wednesday, January 13, 2010 during the day tour (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.) PSD received a call of a past burglary. On Thursday, January 14, 2010 during the midnight tour (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) PSD received a call regarding a male entering a building without permission. After a search of the building (name omitted for blog) was apprehended on the seventh floor and was identified as the aforementioned male. He was arrested for criminal trespass. A search of this subject revealed him to be in possession of a cell phone. A subsequent investigation proved the phone to be part of property taken during a burglary on January 13, 2010.

While being processed at the 114th Precinct the NYPD Detectives were able to connect the subject to two additional burglaries. The subject is being charged with burglary, criminal possession of stolen property and criminal trespass. He was actually on parole and will probably have his parole violated.

A job well done and a safer community for all thanks to the diligence and professionalism displayed by PSD.

On another matter, I inquired of Roosevelt Island Public Safety Director Keith Guerra:

At the January RIRA meeting there was a report concerning allegations made by several taxi cab drivers that Public Safety Officers were using excessive force against them when being pulled over on the street including being punched and elbowed in the face.

Do you have any comment on this allegation?

Mr. Guerra replied:

I have not received one complaint from a Taxi Cab Driver claiming Excessive Force by any of the PSD Officers. However, on the contrary, two-thirds of the complaints we receive about motorists not obeying the Speed Limit, Street Signs or almost hitting pedestrians are made about Taxi & Livery Drivers that come onto the island.

I have instructed the PSD Officers to strictly enforce the Vehicle and Traffic Laws, with special attention to these types of vehicles. When stopped, most respectfully state that they were not familiar with the Island's "Rules of the Road". There are some instances, however, where the Drivers show little-to-no respect for the Uniformed Officers that are trying to do their job. That is usually followed up by the Driver's failure to comply with a Lawful Order, and subsequently - an Arrest.

Some residents would rather the Officers take the Verbal Abuse and Disrespect, and allow these Violators to be let go. The majority of the residents want these Violators dealt with, to insure a Safer Community. I choose to listen to those residents.

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee Chair Feely-Nahem met with Director Guerra on this matter and reports:

Ellen Polivy and I met with Keith. He was forthcoming with the information pertaining to the incident. He had several check and balance systems to add credit to the officer's report. All the reports indicated that the officer's were disrespected, due to the ignorance of the driver of the cab, as to what authority they hold on R.I. We spoke about ways to diffuse this type of situation, maybe by initially explaining who they are and what power they hold on the Island, prior to asking for the driver's info. He seemed somewhat responsive to that. He also shared that the driver, once pepper sprayed and told he was going to be arrested, became compliant and wrote a statement that admitted he had been cursing at the officers, refusing their directions because he was unaware of their position on the Island. Keith felt that one should take into account the danger that Public Safety officer's face on any traffic stop, since they travel one per car, and that at any time a gun could be pulled out and they could be shot. This leads to a certain level of adrenaline. The officer's did admit that one of them also cursed at the taxi driver, telling him to get out of the F------ car, for which Keith reprimanded him and has additional trainings scheduled.

It's good to see the improvement in lines of communication between the Public Safety Department and RIRA during the last year.

UPDATE 1:40 PM - A reader asks in the comments section to this post:

I would to know which building the burglar entered and how he got into that building. I live in Westview, where many of my neighbors routinely open the door at 595 to let people they don't know into the building, rather than making them to walk to the door station at 625. I have always felt that this practice compromises the security of the building and refuse to do it. I know I'm viewed as a curmudgeon.

According to the Public Safety Department:

The burglary occurred on 1/13 at 595 Main St and he was apprehended on 1/14 at 555 Main St